Computational Science Technical Note CSTN-029

Numerical Simulation and Role of Noise in the Cahn-Hilliard-Cook Equation below the Critical Dimension

K. A. Hawick

Archived October 2005, Revised July 2010

Abstract

Introducing stochastic noise into otherwise deterministic partial differential equations is a useful technique for ensemble simulation analysis but can also help unfreeze structural growth barriers in spatial systems. This article presents some modelling experiments using the Cook noise term in the Cahn-Hilliard equation on multi-dimensional spatial meshes and shows that noise is necessary below the critical dimension to enable long-term growth behaviours that are driven by surface tension effects in higher dimensions. Numerical methods for the study are also discussed.

Keywords: numerical methods; simulation; model development; statistical modelling; Cahn Hilliard Cook equation; stochastic noise.

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