Spatially periodic solutions in a 1D model of phase transitions with order parameter (Q1964251)

A model of isothermal stress-induced phase transitions with convex strain energy is investigated in a one-dimensional nonlinear bar. The model is a special case of a coupled field theory with order parameter developed by \textit{E. Fried} and \textit{M. E. Gurtin} [Physica D 68, No. 3-4, 326-343 (1993; Zbl 0793.35049)] to study the nucleation and propagation of phase boundaries. The governing equations consist of a wave equation (balance of linear momentum) coupled with a nonlinear reaction-diffusion equation (evolution of the order parameter). Using phase plane methods, the authors demonstrate that a large number of coexisting spatially periodic solutions can occur, whose number is inversely proportional to the diffusion coefficient. A stability analysis shows that solutions with more than one interface are only weakly unstable and can persist for a long time. The nucleation, propagation and annihilation of phase boundaries are illustrated by numerical analyses which show how nucleation is related to the loss of stability of homogeneous equilibria.