Observations of Cherenkov‐Like Radial Wake in Water Waves

Abstract

Abstract Cherenkov radiation (CR) is a fascinating phenomenon that occurs not only in electromagnetic (EM) waves but also in water waves. The V‐shaped wake formed by a moving object on the water surface results from the constructive interference of water waves of different wavelengths, similar to CR. We designed and fabricated a one‐dimensional (1D) water wave crystal to analogize the behavior of moving particles in water waves. This crystal exhibits a band structure with both positive (positive group velocity) and negative slopes (negative group velocity), exciting and directing the water waves to produce forward and backward radiating wakes through a mechanism similar to CR. Notably, the radiation angle is easily adjustable. This method of regulating water wave wakes holds potential applications in scattering cancellation‐based wake stealth, navigation technology, and fluid dynamics for future offshore vessels.

Keywords

• Cherenkov radiation
• Water waves