Qualitative behavior of solutions for thermodynamically consistent Stefan problems with surface tension (Q1944698)

The authors study a rather general version of the classical two-phase Stefan problem with Gibbs-Thomson correction. The model allows for different heat capacities and/or kinetic undercooling, and is consistent with the first and second laws of thermodynamics. The authors prove the uniqueness of a strong solution, with existence only guaranteed on short time intervals. They also prove global (in time) existence of solutions with relatively compact orbits, provided the solutions do not exhibit singularities. A complete analysis of the equilibrium states and the asymptotic behavior of the solutions close to equilibria is given.