Integral and Asymptotic Properties of Solitary Waves in Deep Water

We consider two‐ and three‐dimensional gravity and gravity‐capillary solitary water waves in infinite depth. Assuming algebraic decay rates for the free surface and velocity potential, we show that the velocity potential necessarily behaves like a dipole at infinity and obtain a related asymptotic formula for the free surface. We then prove an identity relating the “dipole moment” to the kinetic energy. This implies that the leading‐order terms in the asymptotics are nonvanishing and in particular that the angular momentum is infinite. Lastly we prove that the “excess mass” vanishes. © 2018 the Authors. Communications on Pure and Applied Mathematics is published by the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.