Rigorous Numerics for the Cahn-Hilliard Equation on the Unit Square

Abstract

While the structure of the set of stationary solutions of the Cahn-Hilliard equation on one-dimensional domains is completely understood, only partial results are available for two-dimensional base domains. In this paper, we demonstrate how rigorous computational techniques can be employed to establish computerassisted existence proofs for equilibria of the Cahn-Hilliard equation on the unit square. Our method is based on results by Mischaikow and Zgliczy´nski [22], and combines rigorous computations with Conley index techniques. We are able to establish branches of equilibria and, under more restrictive conditions, even the local uniqueness of specific equilibrium solutions. Sample computations for several branches are presented, which illustrate the resulting patterns.