STUDIES OF THE OCEAN'S SURFACE. PART 3. THE DETECTION OF SURFACE FILMS AND HYDRODYNAMIC SMOOTHING BY SUN-GLITTER PHOTOGRAPHY
Abstract
The use of sun-glitter photography to detect monomolecular layers of organic material on water surfaces through their damping effect on short water waves is discussed. Since the method is nondiscriminating, damping caused by either aerodynamic or hydrodynamic effects is also detected. Two photographically relevant parameters are the slope and the radius of curvature of the water surface. Where the predominant slope components are associated with wavelengths short enough to be effectively damped, areas of compacted surface films can be detected with a nearly infinite signal-to-noise ratio. Where major slope components are associated with longer waves not susceptible to damping, the signal-tonoise ratio deteriorates. Under adverse ocean conditions, changes of the average radius of curvature can sometimes be used to indicate areas of damping which are otherwise not readily detected. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 04, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0350190
Entities
People
- K. G. Williams
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory