Work

Thermodynamics and Statistical Equilibrium of Large-Scale Hydroelastic Wave Turbulence

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Understanding how statistical equilibrium can occur in out-of-equilibrium systems is of paramount interest, as it would enable the use of statistical mechanics tools to these systems. Here, we report the first experimental evidence of statistical equilibrium of the large scales of hydroelastic turbulent waves driven by small-scale random forcing. The wave field statistics at scales larger than the forcing scale, resolved in space and time, align well with the predictions of Rayleigh-Jeans equilibrium spectra over more than a decade. We measure zero net energy flux in this regime, as expected. We also determine the effective temperature, entropy, and heat capacity of this nonequilibrium system, demonstrating that classical thermodynamic concepts apply to describe large scales in statistical equilibrium of turbulent systems.

Source: Physical Review Letters

DOI: 10.1103/dmrl-gxhw

Authors: Marlone Vernet, Eric Falcon

Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris Cité, Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes

Language: English

Topic: Nonlinear Waves and Solitons

Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Simons Foundation, Agence Nationale de la Recherche

Awards: SOliton Gas in Optics and hydrODynamics, G5020422105, G8000657680, Large scales of turbulent flows: characterization, models and thermodynamic properties