Energy cascade in internal wave attractors

One of the pivotal questions in the dynamics of the oceans is related to the cascade of mechanical energy in the abyss and its contribution to mixing. Here, we propose a unique self-consistent experimental and numerical set up that models a cascade of triadic interactions transferring energy from large-scale monochromatic input to multiscale internal wave motion. We also provide, for the first time, explicit evidence of a wave turbulence framework for internal waves. Finally, we show how beyond this regime, we have a clear transition to a cascade of small-scale overturning events which induce mixing.