Diffusion of a Sound Wave by a Vibrating Surface — Statistical Analysis of a Second Order —

A simple model is proposed, which is capable of experimental verification, for the study of the diffusion of a sound wave by the sea surface. This study is limited to the statistics of the second order of signal phase.

The calculations are specially developed with respect to the diffusion of a monochromatic wave, which leads to a simple formula for the spectral energy density. The expression permits a good qualitative study of the phenomenon. A quantitative study is then pursued in which the results are compared in a tank by using a swell generated by a wind.

In the extension of this theory to the case of a polychromatic wave, the statement is limited to giving merely the principal results of the study.