Evolution equations associated with non-isothermal phase separation: Subdifferential approach

This paper is concerned with a non-isothermal phase separation model, for instance, describing component separation dynamics for a class of binary systems (solid-solid systems). Our model is a couple of nonlinear parabolicPDE's which are possibly degenerate and singular at the same time. It will be shown that our model can be reformulated as a nonlinear evolution equation governed by subdifferential operator in a Hilbert space, and its mathematically basic questions, such as existence and uniqueness, can be handled in the abstract theory of nonlinear evolution equations in Hilbert spaces. Entrata in Redazione il 15 luglio 1997 e, in versione riveduta, il 25 ottobre 1997.