Laboratory Study Using Novel Imaging Techniques For Phase Resolved Wave Observations

There exists a significant gap in the synoptic observational records of the spatial structure of the wavy sea surface. This is especially true for short scale gravity waves and capillarity waves which are important to ocean wave field modeling and remote sensing. These waves are critically linked to a number of air-sea interaction processes. To address that aspect, here we present preliminary findings and results from a laboratory experiment done in a wind-wave flume set up in ASIST (Air Sea Interaction Saltwater Tank) within the Surge-Structure-Atmosphere Interaction (SUSTAIN) facility at the University of Miami. This effort is part of an on-going study to provide in situ data and validation for phase resolved wave modeling and better understanding of air-ocean coupling by resolving the temporal evolution of the three dimensional water surface under varying mechanical and wind excitations. State of the art laser slope gauges, polarimetric cameras, and high frame rate CCDs were used to observe the surface topography and wave crest development. Additionally an infrared camera was used to examine the fine-scale fluctuations in the surface temperature. These observations provide a series of benchmark experiments for phase resolved numerical modeling of ocean waves.