Models of phase segregation and diffusion of atomic species on a lattice (Q997556)

In this paper, two mathematical models for phase segregation and phase diffusion are derived to state generalized versions of the Allen--Cahn (A--C) equation, describing the evolution of the atomic arrangement within the unit cell of a lattice, in a two--phase material, and Cahn-Hilliard (C--H) equation, being a conservation law, which describes the transport of atoms between unit cells. The generalizations of standard A--C and C--H equations have been found in the paper by \textit{M. E. Gurtin} [Physica D 92, No. 3-4, 178--192 (1996; Zbl 0885.35121)]. They have been based on a notion of contact and distance microforces consistent with their own balance and on a dissipation inequality, restricting the free--energy growth. The author, while retaining Gurtin's balance of microforce, is based on a microenergy balance and a microentropy growth inbalance with microenergy and microentropy inflows deemed proportional via the chemical potential. This allows to adapt to material systems susceptible to phase segregation and diffusion the standard format, leading to the heat equation. That format is based on an energy equation and an entropy growth inequality, where energy and entropy inflows are taken proportional via the coldness, i.e. via the inverse of the absolute temperature. Then, two systems of evolution partial differential equations for material systems of the A--C and C--H types are derived. The role of the chemical potential is established as the reaction field, maintaining the normalization constraint at equilibrium, whatever the boundary conditions. In both mathematical models proposed by the author (i.e. phase segregation and diffusion) the chemical potential enters in an essential manner, and it is predicted that standard A--C and C--H processes take place at constant chemical potential. The chemical potential is given the same role played by coldness in the deduction of the heat equation. It is shown, in particular that no essential differences with respect to the standard A--C and C--H theories emerge in statics.