A singular limit for a system of degenerate Cahn-Hilliard equations

Abstract

A singular limit is considered for a system of Cahn-Hilliard equations with a degenerate mobility matrix near the deep quench limit. Via formal asymptotics, this singular limit is seen to give rise to geometric motion in which the interfaces between the various pure phases move by motion by minus the surface Laplacian of mean curvature. These interfaces may couple at triple junctions whose evolution is prescribed by Young's law, balance of fluxes, and continuity of the chemical potentials. Short time existence and uniqueness is proven for this limiting geometric motion in the parabolic Hölder space ${ C}_{t, \, p}^{1 + \frac{\alpha}{4}, \, 4 + \alpha}, \, 0 <\alpha < 1$, via parameterization of the interfaces.