Convergence of a heterogeneous Allen-Cahn equation to weighted mean curvature flow

Alice Marveggio (HCM, Bonn)

Nov 13. 2025, 14:00 — 14:40

We consider a variational model for heterogeneous phase separation. In particular, we investigate the asymptotic behavior of the first variation $\lambda_\epsilon$ of a heterogeneous variant of the Modica-Mortola energy as the width of the diffuse interface $\varepsilon $ goes to 0. Our convergence result corresponds to a Gibbs-Thomson relation for heterogeneous surface tension.

Starting from this information, one can show that (weak) solutions of the Allen–Cahn equation with spatially dependent double well potential $W$ converge to BV solutions to weighted mean curvature flow (under an energy convergence hypothesis). Additionally, we establish a weak-strong uniqueness principle for BV solutions to weighted mean curvature flow by means of the relative energy technique.

Further Information
Venue:
ESI Boltzmann Lecture Hall
Associated Event:
Free Boundary Problems (Thematic Programme)
Organizer(s):
Serena Dipierro (UWA, Perth)
Julian Fischer (ISTA, Klosterneuburg)
Matteo Novaga (U Pisa)
Elisabetta Rocca (U of Pavia)
Xavier Ros-Oton (U of Barcelona)
Ulisse Stefanelli (U of Vienna)
Enrico Valdinoci (UWA, Perth)