EXISTENCE AND UNIQUENESS OF A GLOBAL-IN-TIME SOLUTION TO A PHASE SEGREGATION PROBLEM OF THE ALLEN–CAHN TYPE
We study a model of phase segregation of the Allen–Cahn type, consisting in a system of two differential equations, one partial and the other ordinary, respectively interpreted as balances of microforces and microenergy; the two unknowns are the order parameter entering the standard A–C equation and the chemical potential. We introduce a notion of maximal solution to the o.d.e., parametrized on the order-parameter field; and, by substitution in the p.d.e. of the so-obtained chemical potential field, we give the latter equation the form of an Allen–Cahn equation for the order parameter, with a memory term. Finally, we prove the existence and uniqueness of global-in-time smooth solutions to this modified A–C equation, and we give a description of the relative ω-limit set.