Phase separation in stochastic Cahn-Hilliard models

32. Dirk Blömker, Stanislaus Maier-Paape, Thomas Wanner:
    Phase separation in stochastic Cahn-Hilliard models
    In: Mathematical Methods and Models in Phase Transitions, edited by Alain Miranville, pp. 1-41, Nova Science Publishers, New York, 2005.

Abstract

The Cahn-Hilliard equation is one of the fundamental models for phase separation dynamics in metal alloys. On a qualitative level, it can successfully describe phenomena such as spinodal decomposition and nucleation. Yet, as deterministic partial differential equation it does not account for thermal fluctuations or similar random effects. In this survey we describe some dynamical aspects of a stochastic version of the model due to Cook. These include recent results on spinodal decomposition, as well as a brief discussion of nucleation and its relation to the deterministic attractor structure. In addition, differences between the deterministic and the stochastic dynamics are discussed.

Bibtex

@incollection{bloemker:etal:05a,
   author = {Dirk Bl\"omker and Stanislaus Maier-Paape and
             Thomas Wanner},
   title = {Phase separation in stochastic {C}ahn-{H}illiard models},
   booktitle = {Mathematical Methods and Models in Phase Transitions},
   editor = {Alain Miranville},
   publisher = {Nova Science Publishers},
   address = {New York},
   year = 2005,
   pages = {1--41}
   }