Slow motion for a hyperbolic variation of Allen-Cahn equation in one space dimension

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to prove that, for specific initial data $(u_0,u_1)$ and with homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions, the solution of the IBVP for a hyperbolic variation of Allen-Cahn equation on the interval $[a,b]$ shares the well-known dynamical metastability valid for the classical parabolic case. In particular, using the "energy approach" proposed by Bronsard and Kohn [8], if $\varepsilon\ll 1$ is the diffusion coefficient, we show that in a time scale of order $\varepsilon^{-k}$ nothing happens and the solution maintains the same number of transitions of its initial datum $u_0$. The novelty consists mainly in the role of the initial velocity $u_1$, which may create or eliminate transitions in later times. Numerical experiments are also provided in the particular case of the Allen-Cahn equation with relaxation.