A Note on Homogenization Effects on Phase Transition Problems

Abstract

In fluid-fluid phase transitions problems featuring small scale heterogeneity, we see that when the scale heterogeneity is sufficiently small, the periodic potential function $W(x,p)$ can be replaced with a homogenized potential function $W_H(p)$. This allows for a reduction to a problem already studied by Fonseca and Tartar. In particular, we see an isotropic transition potential, in contrast with the case where the scales are roughly comensurate. This note is intended as a prelude to a more complete analysis of the full range of scales.