On constant vorticity flows beneath two-dimensional surface solitary waves

Abstract

We demonstrate that, for a two-dimensional, steady, solitary wave profile, a flow of constant vorticity beneath the wave must likewise be steady and two-dimensional, and the vorticity will point in the direction orthogonal to that of wave propagation. Constant vorticity is the hallmark of a harmonic velocity field, and the simplified vorticity equation is used along with maximum principles to derive the results. © 2012 2012 The Author(s).