Attenuation of surface waves due to viscous dissipation is accompanied by the excitation of slow vortex currents due to the conservation of total momentum. We present a theoretical model for small-amplitude waves that explains experiments on vortex flow generation by crossing waves. Special attention is paid to the effect of surface contaminants, which is accounted for within the framework of a model of a thin elastic liquid film, leading to enhanced wave dissipation and intensified vortex currents. As the amplitude of the currents increases, their interaction with the waves must be considered. A theoretical framework is proposed to describe this interaction, demonstrating its applicability to classical problems: Guyon waves, the propagation of short waves against a current, and Langmuir circulation. Finally, experimental data on the turbulent regime of flow generation, which occurs at sufficiently large wave amplitudes, are described, and open questions in this field are outlined.

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Keywords: waves on liquid surface, surface film, vortex flow, mass current, Stokes drift, virtual wave stress, vortex force, wave scattering and refraction PACS: 05.45.−a, 92.10.hb (all) DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2025.08.039992 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2025/11/e/ Citation: Vergeles S S, Levchenko A A, Parfenyev V M "Nonlinear generation of currents by waves on liquid surface" Phys. Usp. 68 (11) (2025) Received: 30th, March 2025, revised: 3rd, August 2025, accepted: 5th, August 2025 Оригинал: Вергелес С С, Левченко А А, Парфеньев В М «Нелинейная генерация течений волнами на поверхности жидкости» УФН 195 1199–1220 (2025); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2025.08.039992