Transformation of envelope solitons on a bottom step

Abstract

In this paper, we study the transformation of surface envelope solitons traveling over a bottom step in water of a finite depth. Using the transformation coefficients earlier derived in the linear approximation, we find the parameters of transmitted pulses and subsequent evolution of the pulses in the course of propagation. Relying on the weakly nonlinear theory, the analytic formulas are derived which describe the maximum attainable wave amplitude in the neighborhood of the step and in the far zone. Solitary waves may be greatly amplified (within the weakly nonlinear theory formally, even without a limit) when propagating from relatively shallow water to the deeper domain due to the constructive interference between the newly emerging envelope solitons and the residual quasi-linear waves. The theoretical results are in good agreement with the data of direct numerical modeling of soliton transformation. In particular, more than double wave amplification is demonstrated in the performed simulations.