Asymptotic limit of a vector-valued Allen-Cahn equation for phase transition dynamics

Abstract

We study the sharp interface limit for a vector-valued Allen-Cahn equation. The limiting system is shown to be a two-phase flow in which the interface evolves by mean curvature flow, while in the bulk regions the solution follows a harmonic map heat flow into ${\mathbb{S}}^{n-1}$, with a mixed boundary condition across the interface. This result extends the work of Bronsard-Stoth[Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 1998] from the two-dimensional radially symmetric case to a higher-dimensional general setting.