Phase-field approximations of the Willmore functional and flow (Q495531)

Phase-field approximations, like the de Giorgi--Bellettini, Paolini--Bellettini--Mugnai, and Esedoğlu--Rätz--Röger approximations, of the Willmore functional with the associated \(L_2\) gradient flow are developed in form of asymptotic expansions. A time implicit scheme with Fourier spectral method is used for the Mugnai diffuse flows which preserves the energy decreasing property of the Willmore functional. Numerical results are provided for classical diffuse approximation flow, parametric Willmore flow, Mugnai's flow and flows with singularities in 2D and 3D.