Communications in Mathematical Sciences

Volume 6 (2008)

Number 1

A variational formulation for a level set representation of multiphase flow and area preserving curvature flow

Pages: 125 – 148

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4310/CMS.2008.v6.n1.a6

Authors

Selim Esodoglu

Peter Smereka

Abstract

Variational descriptions for various multiphase level set formulations involving curvature flow are discussed. A representation of $n$ phases using $n−1$ level set functions is introduced having the advantage that constraints preventing overlaps or vacuum are not needed. The representation is then used in conjunction with our variational formulation to deduce a novel level set based algorithm for multiphase flow. In addition, a similar variational formulation is applied to area preserving curvature flow. In this flow, the area (or volume in 3D) enclosed by each level set is preserved. Each algorithm has been implemented numerically and the results of such computations are shown.

Keywords

level set, multiphase flow, variational

2010 Mathematics Subject Classification

65K10

Published 1 January 2008