Quantitative convergence of the vectorial Allen-Cahn equation towards multiphase mean curvature flow

TL;DR

This paper rigorously proves that solutions to the vectorial Allen-Cahn equation converge to multiphase mean curvature flow in two and three dimensions, with a convergence rate of O(ε^{1/2}), under suitable conditions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach using gradient flow calibrations and relative entropy to establish convergence without stability analysis or extra energy hypotheses.

Findings

Proves convergence of vectorial Allen-Cahn solutions to multiphase mean curvature flow.

Establishes a convergence rate of O(ε^{1/2}).

Develops a new method based on relative entropy and gradient flow calibrations.

Abstract

Phase-field models such as the Allen-Cahn equation may give rise to the formation and evolution of geometric shapes, a phenomenon that may be analyzed rigorously in suitable scaling regimes. In its sharp-interface limit, the vectorial Allen-Cahn equation with a potential with $N\geq 3$ distinct minima has been conjectured to describe the evolution of branched interfaces by multiphase mean curvature flow. In the present work, we give a rigorous proof for this statement in two and three ambient dimensions and for a suitable class of potentials: As long as a strong solution to multiphase mean curvature flow exists, solutions to the vectorial Allen-Cahn equation with well-prepared initial data converge towards multiphase mean curvature flow in the limit of vanishing interface width parameter $\varepsilon\searrow 0$. We even establish the rate of convergence $O(\varepsilon^{1/2})$. Our approach is based on the gradient flow structure of the Allen-Cahn equation and its limiting motion: Building on the recent concept of "gradient flow calibrations" for multiphase mean curvature flow, we introduce a notion of relative entropy for the vectorial Allen-Cahn equation with multi-well potential. This enables us to overcome the limitations of other approaches, e.g. avoiding the need for a stability analysis of the Allen-Cahn operator or additional convergence hypotheses for the energy at positive times.