Finite difference approximate solutions for the Cahn-Hilliard equation

In this article, we analyze a Crank-Nicolson-type finite difference scheme for the nonlinear evolutionary Cahn-Hilliard equation. We prove existence, uniqueness and convergence of the difference solution. An iterative algorithm for the difference scheme is given and its convergence is proved. A linearized difference scheme is presented, which is also second-order convergent. Finally a new difference method possess a Lyapunov function is presented. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.