Over a decade ago, an analogy was drawn between the generation of large ocean waves and the propagation of light fields in optical fibres. This analogy drove numerous experimental studies in both systems, which we review here. In optics, we focus on results arising from the use of real-time measurement techniques, whereas in oceanography we consider insights obtained from analysis of real-world ocean wave data and controlled experiments in wave tanks. This Review of the work in hydrodynamics includes results that support both nonlinear and linear interpretations of rogue wave formation in the ocean, and in optics, we also provide an overview of the emerging area of research applying the measurement techniques developed for the study of rogue waves to dissipative soliton systems. We discuss the insights gained from the analogy between the two systems and its limitations in modelling real-world ocean wave scenarios that include physical effects that go beyond a one-dimensional propagation model. An analogy between wave propagation in hydrodynamics and in optics has yielded new insights into the mechanisms leading to the formation of giant rogue waves on the ocean. We review experimental progress and field measurements in this area.

Rogue waves and analogies in optics and oceanography

Investigation on the effects of Bragg reflection on harbor oscillations

Numerical investigation of harbor oscillations induced by focused transient wave groups

Dissipation of incident forced long waves in the surf zone—Implications for the concept of “bound” wave release at short wave breaking

We review the study of rogue waves and related instabilities in optical and oceanic environments, with particular focus on recent experimental developments. In optics, we emphasize results arising from the use of real-time measurement techniques, whilst in oceanography we consider insights obtained from analysis of real-world ocean wave data and controlled experiments in wave tanks. Although significant progress in understanding rogue waves has been made based on an analogy between wave dynamics in optics and hydrodynamics, these comparisons have predominantly focused on one-dimensional nonlinear propagation scenarios. As a result, there remains significant debate about the dominant physical mechanisms driving the generation of ocean rogue waves in the complex environment of the open sea. Here, we review state-of-the-art of rogue wave studies in optics and hydrodynamics, aiming to clearly identify similarities and differences between the results obtained in the two fields. In hydrodynamics, we take care to review results that support both nonlinear and linear interpretations of ocean rogue wave formation, and in optics, we also summarise results from an emerging area of research applying the measurement techniques developed for the study of rogue waves to dissipative soliton systems. We conclude with a discussion of important future research directions.

Xiaozhou Ma

Papers

Investigation on the effects of Bragg reflection on harbor oscillations

Numerical investigation of harbor oscillations induced by focused transient wave groups

Experimental study of wave–wave nonlinear interactions using the wavelet-based bicoherence

Hydroelastic analysis and model tests of a single module VLFS deployed near islands and reefs

Cross-shore variations of wave groupiness by wavelet transform