Doubly nonlinear Cahn-Hilliard-Gurtin equations (Q1029969)

The prime interest of the authors is to study the long time behavior, in terms of finite-dimensional attractors, of a doubly nonlinear Cahn-Hilliard type equation of the form \[ \partial_t u- \Delta v= 0, \qquad \partial_t\alpha(u)- \Delta u+ f(u)= v, \] subjected to the initial-boundary conditions \[ u|_{\partial\Omega}= v|_{\partial\Omega} = 0, \qquad u|_{t=0}= u_0 \] in a bounded smooth domain \(\Omega\subset\mathbb R^3\). First, the well-posedness of the problem is established, and dissipative estimates which allow to prove the existence of finite-dimensional attractor are derived. Then, the authors study the limit \(\alpha \to 0\) to reduce the system under consideration to the usual Cahn-Hilliard equation. This result is obtained only for the so-called energy solutions which requires essential growth restrictions on \(\alpha\) and \(f\). Finally, additional regularity results on the solutions when \(\alpha\) does not degenerate, are exposed.