Fourier law, phase transitions and the stationary Stefan problem (Q715303)

The authors study one-dimensional stationary solutions to the integro-differential equation which describes the limit behavior of the Kawasaki dynamics in Ising systems with Kac potentials. The equation they consider is the same as the one derived by \textit{G. Giacomin} and \textit{J. L. Lebowitz} [J. Stat. Phys. 87, No. 1--2, 37--61 (1997; Zbl 0937.82037); SIAM J. Appl. Math. 58, No. 6, 1707--1729 (1998; Zbl 1015.82027)], and the authors look for a solution with a planar symmetry and prove the existence and smoothness of a solution with a steady non-zero current. They prove the validity of the Fourier law in the thermodynamic limit showing that the limit equilibrium profile has (an interface defining) discontinuity below the critical temperature and it satisfies a stationary free boundary Stefan problem. Undercooling and overheating effects are also studied, and it is is shown that the mesoscopic stationary profile is no longer monotone if metastable values are imposed at the boundaries, thus the Fourier law is not satisfied. It is shown to regain its validity in the thermodynamic limit where the profile is again monotone away from the interface.