| Summary: | <i>Nonlinear Fourier Analysis</i> (NLFA) as developed herein begins with the <i>nonlinear Schrödinger equation</i> in two-space and one-time dimensions (the 2+1 NLS equation). The integrability of the simpler nonlinear Schrödinger equation in one-space and one-time dimensions (1+1 NLS) is an important tool in this analysis. We demonstrate that small-time asymptotic spectral solutions of the 2+1 NLS equation can be constructed as the <i>nonlinear superposition</i> of many 1+1 NLS equations, each corresponding to a particular <i>radial direction</i> in the directional spectrum of the waves. The radial 1+1 NLS equations interact nonlinearly with one another. We determine practical asymptotic spectral solutions of the 2+1 NLS equation that are formed from the ratio of two phase-lagged Riemann theta functions: Surprisingly this construction can be written in terms of generalizations of periodic Fourier series called (1) <i>quasiperiodic Fourier</i> (QPF) series and (2) <i>almost periodic Fourier</i> (APF) series (with appropriate limits in space and time). To simplify the discourse with regard to QPF and APF Fourier series, we call them <i>NLF series</i> herein. The NLF series are the <i>solutions</i> or <i>approximate solutions</i> of the <i>nonlinear dynamics of water waves</i>. These series are indistinguishable in many ways from the <i>linear superposition of sine waves</i> introduced theoretically by Paley and Weiner, and exploited experimentally and theoretically by Barber and Longuet-Higgins assuming random phases. Generally speaking NLF series do <i>not</i> have random phases, but instead employ <i>phase locking</i>. We construct the asymptotic NLF series spectral solutions of 2+1 NLS as a <i>linear superposition of sine waves</i>, with particular amplitudes, frequencies and phases. Because of the phase locking the NLF basis functions consist not only of sine waves, but also of Stokes waves, breather trains, and superbreathers, all of which undergo complex pair-wise nonlinear interactions. Breather trains are known to be associated with <i>rogue waves</i> in solutions of nonlinear wave equations. It is remarkable that <i>complex nonlinear dynamics</i> can be represented as a <i>generalized</i>, <i>linear superposition</i> of sine waves. NLF series that solve nonlinear wave equations offer a significant advantage over traditional periodic Fourier series. We show how NLFA can be applied to numerically model nonlinear wave motions and to analyze experimentally measured wave data. Applications to the analysis of SINTEF wave tank data, measurements from Currituck Sound, North Carolina and to shipboard radar data taken by the U. S. Navy are discussed. The ubiquitous presence of coherent breather packets in many data sets, as analyzed by NLFA methods, has recently led to the discovery of <i>breather turbulence</i> in the ocean: In this case, nonlinear Fourier components occur as strongly interacting, phase locked, densely packed breather modes, in contrast to the previously held incorrect belief that ocean waves are weakly interacting sine waves.
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