title: Fractal structure of large-scale variability of wind-driven waves according to laser-scanning data.
abstract: Results are presented for experimental laser-scanning investigations of the statistical characteristics of wind-driven ocean waves. The method involves counting the number of specular points during scanning of the sea surface by a narrow laser beam on a moving ship. The data analyzed are the set of specular points recorded along a track traced out by the laser beam as a result of the motion of the ship and the scanning beam. A prominent feature is the large-scale variability of the number of specular points and the self-similar nature of the process over a rather wide range of spatial scales. A fractal analysis of the process shows a clear power-law interval in the spatial spectrum of the distribution of specular points.
authors.affiliation: Andreev Institute of Acoustics, Shvernik St., Moscow 117036, Russia.
authors.forename: V. V.
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Zosimov
authors.forename: K. A.
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Naugol'nykh