Resonant gravity-wave interactions in a shear flow

Abstract

Among a triad of gravity waves in a uniform shear flow, a remarkably powerful second-order resonant interaction may take place. This interaction is characterized by large growth rates of waves which propagate in directions oblique to that of the primary flow, and by a systematic transfer of energy from the primary flow to such waves. Most of the energy transfer takes place in the vicinity of a ‘critical layer’, where viscous forces are dominant.Provided the resonance condition may be satisfied, a uniform shear flow which is perturbed by a two-dimensional wave of small but finite amplitude may be unstable, owing to the growth of two initially infinitesimal oblique waves which complete the resonant triad.