Abstract.
In this paper we present a new definition for the global in time propagation (motion) of fronts (hypersurfaces, boundaries) with a prescribed normal velocity, past the first time they develop singularities. We show that if this propagation satisfies a geometric maximum principle (inclusion‐avoidance)‐type property, then the normal velocity must depend only on the position of the front and its normal direction and principal curvatures. This new approach, which is more geometric and, as it turns out, equivalent to the level‐set method, is then used to develop a very general and simple method to rigorously validate the appearance of moving interfaces at the asymptotic limit of general evolving systems like interacting particles and reaction‐diffusion equations. We finally present a number of new asymptotic results. Among them are the asymptotics of (i) reaction‐diffusion equations with rapidly oscillating coefficients, (ii) fully nonlinear nonlocal (integral differential) equations and (iii) stochastic Ising models with long-range anisotropic interactions and general spin flip dynamics.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
(Accepted July 8, 1996)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Barles, G., Souganidis, P. A New Approach to Front Propagation Problems: Theory and Applications. Arch Rational Mech Anal 141, 237–296 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002050050077
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002050050077