A gradient flow approach to relaxation rates for the multi-dimensional Cahn-Hilliard equation

Michael Goldman (1) , Lucia de Luca , Marta Strani

1 LJLL - Laboratoire Jacques-Louis Lions

The aim of this paper is to study relaxation rates for the Cahn-Hilliard equation in dimension larger than one. We follow the approach of Otto and Westdickenberg based on the gradient flow structure of the equation and establish differential and algebraic relationships between the energy, the dissipation, and the squared $H^{−1}$ distance to a kink. This leads to a scale separation of the dynamics into two different stages: a first fast phase of the order $t^{ − 1/2}$ where one sees convergence to some kink, followed by a slow relaxation phase with rate $t^{− 1/ 4}$ where convergence to the centered kink is observed.

Mots clés: gradient flow; relaxation to equilibrium; stability AMS subject classifications 35K35; 35K55; 35B40

Domaines: Equations aux dérivées partielles [math.AP]

Michael Goldman, Lucia de Luca, Marta Strani. A gradient flow approach to relaxation rates for the multi-dimensional Cahn-Hilliard equation. Mathematische Annalen, 2019, 3-4. ⟨hal-01714707⟩