A Two-Sided Contracting Stefan Problem

Abstract

We study a novel two-sided Stefan problem—motivated by the study of certain 2D interfaces—in which boundaries at both sides of the sample encroach into the bulk with rate equal to the boundary value of the gradient. Here the density is in [0, 1] and takes the two extreme values at the two free boundaries. It is noted that the problem is borderline ill-posed: densities in excess of unity liable to cause catastrophic behavior. We provide a general proof of existence and uniqueness for these systems under the condition that the initial data is in [0, 1] and with some mild conditions near the boundaries. Applications to 2D shapes are provided, in particular motion by weighted mean curvature for the relevant interfaces is established.