We study the free decay of capillary turbulence on the charged surface of liquid hydrogen. We find that decay begins from the high frequency end of the spectral range, while most of the energy remains localized at low frequencies. The apparent discrepancy with the self-similar theory of nonstationary wave turbulent processes is accounted for in terms of a quasiadiabatic decay wherein fast nonlinear wave interactions redistribute energy between frequency scales in the presence of finite damping at all frequencies. Numerical calculations based on this idea agree well with experimental data.
Observation of a Kolmogorov-like energy cascade. Discovery that turbulent decay starts in the high-frequency spectral range, while most energy remains at low frequencies, overturning the conventional wisdom. Probably applicable to wave-turbulent systems quite generally. McClintock contributed to interpretation and wrote most of the paper. RAE_import_type : Journal article RAE_uoa_type : Physics
