# Basic Phase Field Equations

In the phase field approach, microstructural features are described using continuous variables. These variables take two forms: conserved variables representing physical properties such as atom concentration or material density, and nonconserved order parameters describing the microstructure of the material, including grains and different phases. The evolution of these continuous variables is a function of the Gibbs free energy and can be defined as a system of partial differential equations (PDEs). Thus, to define the kinetics of the system, the free energy must be described as a function of the continuous variables representing the microstructure.

The system of PDEs representing the evolution of the various variables required to represent a given system and the free energy functional comprise a specific phase field model. The model may also be coupled to additional physics, such as mechanics or heat conduction. These model equations may be solved in many ways, including finite difference, spectral methods, and the finite element method (FEM). The MOOSE-Phase Field module provides the necessary tools to rapidly develop a phase field simulation tool with the equations solved via FEM.

## Phase Field Summary

We present this a general form of the phase field PDEs here, and then show how it can be solved via FEM. The PDE's are evolution equations for the various variables and are functions of the free energy functional . The evolution of all conserved variables is defined using modified Cahn-Hilliard equations, i.e.

(1)

where is a conserved variable and is the associated mobility. The evolution of nonconserved order parameters is represented with an Allen-Cahn equation, according to

(2)

where is an order parameter and is the order parameter mobility.

The free energy functional, for a phase field model using conserved variables and order parameters , is described by

(3)

where defines the local free energy density as a function of all concentrations and order parameters, and varies from model to model. The gradient energy density

(4)

where and are gradient energy coefficients. Finally, describes any additional sources of energy in the system, such as deformation or electrostatic energy. By combining the equations listed above and evaluating the functional derivatives (further explanations), the evolution of the variables is described as

(5)

warning

and must be either constant values, or functions of MOOSE variables (non-linear or auxiliary). It cannot be a direct function of _x,y,z_! If you need an _x,y,z_ dependence, add a LINEAR, LAGRANGE AuxVariable to the problem which depends on _x,y,z_ and have or depend only on it.

note

The gray terms are required only in case the coefficients are functions of either the order parameter or its gradient respectively. A generic kernel for the case is in preparation. Kernels for the case need to be provided by the user.

To prepare for the FEM discretization, we construct a residual equation (equal to zero) in weak form in the usual manner. First, the weighted integral residual projection is constructed using test function and applying the divergence theorem to lower the derivative order. Thus, the Allen-Cahn equation yields

(6)

where the operator represents a volume integral with an inner product and the operator represents a surface integral with an inner product. Solving the Cahn-Hilliard equation with FEM is more difficult, due to the fourth order gradient. It can be solved in two ways.

The first is to directly solve the equation according to (7)

The second approach is to split the fourth order equation into two second order equations, such that two variables are solved, the concentration and the chemical potential . In this case, the two residual equations are

(8)

Note that we have reversed which equation is used to solve for each variable from what might be expected. This change improves the solve convergence and does not impact the solution.

## Free Energy Based Model Development

The goal of the MOOSE phase field module is to facilitate the development of advanced phase field models by taking advantage of their common structure, i.e. their usage of the Cahn-Hilliard and Allen-Cahn equations and their reliance on free energy functionals. Thus, only the free energy derivatives and the parameters vary between most models. By taking advantage of the modular structure of MOOSE, we have developed a series of kernels that implement the various pieces of the Allen-Cahn equation and the two solution approaches to the Cahn-Hilliard equation. The free energy derivatives and the material parameters are provided in materials objects, which can be created by the user or created using our automatic differentiation system. Note that use of these kernels is not required. If you choose not to use them, you would develop your kernels in the usual way for MOOSE.

The Allen-Cahn residual equation, without boundary terms, is shown here: (9) It is divided into three pieces, each implemented in their own kernel, as shown below

Residual termVariableParametersEnergy derivativeKernel
TimeDerivative
ACInterface
AllenCahn

The residual for the direct solution of the Cahn-Hilliard equation (without boundary terms) is

(10)

Residual termVariableParametersEnergy derivativeKernel
TimeDerivative
, , CHInterface
, CahnHilliard

In the split form of the Cahn-Hilliard solution, the two residual equations are (11)

• Phase Field FAQ - Frequently asked questions for MOOSE phase-field models.

• Actions - Simplify the setup of of the phase field equations using MOOSE actions

• Free Energy Materials - The key component in the modular free energy phase field modeling approach. This page lists the available function materials and explains how to define a free energy function and combine multiple free energy contributions (including elastic energy) into a total free energy.

• Function Material Kernels - Kernels which utilize free energy densities provides by Function Material. These are the recommended phase field kernels.

• ExpressionBuilder - Use automatic differentiation with Free energies defined in the C++ code.

• Multi Phase Models - Combine multiple single phase free energies into multiphase field models using these tools.

• Free energies can also be combined with the deformation energy calculated using the Tensor Mechanics module.