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The
stability and size of FLIP has made it possible to study the physics and
energetics of surface and volume processes in both the ocean and the atmosphere
near the air-sea surface as well as surface processes just below the interface
with Doppler sonar [frequencies from 75 to 200 kHz].
For example, it is possible to study internal wave motion in about a cubic
kilometer of the upper ocean in a very unique manner by using Doppler
sonars developed by scientists at MPL. When mounted on FLIP, in 20 meter
range bins, the movement of the ocean can be measured to an accuracy of
1 cm/sec relative to FLIP in a cubic kilometer of the ocean if FLIP is
drifting or a larger volume if FLIP is moored. The 75 kHz sonar is rated
at 35 KW and is made up of 1720 elements assembled in trapezoidal modules,
that can be mounted individually or all together in a single high-resolution
narrow beam array.
Surface wave slopes or surface wavelengths can be measured from 40 meters
at the lowest frequency down to 5 meters at the highest frequency with
the various Doppler sonar. Measurements have been made of momentum flux,
strain, Langmuir cell circulation and wave slope distribution.
In the Arctic, these same sonars, mounted on the ice as a stable platform,
are used to study internal waves and other phenomena under the ice, as
well as, the energetics of heat exchange across the extreme temperature
differences in open leads where the air temperatures are more than 40
degrees Celsius lower than the Arctic Ocean waters.
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