Capillary–gravity Kelvin–Helmholtz waves close to resonance

Abstract

Capillary–gravity waves of permanent form at the interface between two unbounded fluids in relative motion are considered. The range of wavelengths for an internal resonance with the second harmonic and a period-doubling bifurcation are found to depend on the current speed. The Kelvin–Helmholtz instability of short waves becomes strongly subcritical near resonance. It is speculated that this instability is needed to trigger a period-doubling bifurcation. This notion is used to explain the development of waves at short fetch and the initiation of liquid slugs for gas–liquid flow in a horizontal pipe.