pith. sign in

arxiv: 2512.24875 · v2 · submitted 2025-12-31 · 🧮 math.NA · cs.NA

A structure-preserving parametric approximation for anisotropic geometric flows via an α-surface energy matrix

Pith reviewed 2026-05-16 18:39 UTC · model grok-4.3

classification 🧮 math.NA cs.NA
keywords anisotropic curvature flowsurface energy matrixenergy stabilityparametric approximationgeometric flowsstructure-preserving discretizationhyperparameter alpha
0
0 comments X

The pith

For anisotropic geometric flows, the surface energy matrix with α set to -1 achieves optimal energy stability under the weakest necessary condition on the anisotropy function.

A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.

The paper constructs a single family of surface energy matrices controlled by a hyperparameter α that recovers all prior formulations used in parametric approximations of anisotropic curvature flows. It proves that α equals -1 is the only value that guarantees energy stability precisely when the anisotropy function satisfies the mild inequality three times its value is at least its value shifted by π. Every other choice of α demands a strictly stronger inequality on the same function. The same matrix family supplies a unified velocity discretization that carries the stability property over to broader classes of anisotropic geometric flows. Numerical tests confirm that the special case α equals -1 avoids energy growth where other parameter choices do not.

Core claim

We introduce the unified surface energy matrix Ĝ_k^α(θ) parameterized by α that contains all existing surface energy matrices as special cases, and we prove that α = -1 is the unique choice that attains optimal energy stability under the necessary and sufficient condition 3γ̂(θ) ≥ γ̂(θ - π); every α ≠ -1 requires a strictly stronger condition on γ̂. The construction supplies a velocity discretization that extends the same stability guarantee to general anisotropic geometric flows.

What carries the argument

The hyperparameterized surface energy matrix Ĝ_k^α(θ) that unifies prior discretizations and determines the energy-stability threshold for parametric approximations of anisotropic curvature flow.

If this is right

  • Energy stability holds for any anisotropy function satisfying only the condition 3γ̂(θ) ≥ γ̂(θ - π) when α equals -1.
  • All other values of α force the user to impose a stricter inequality on the anisotropy function to retain stability.
  • The same matrix construction and velocity discretization extend energy stability to general anisotropic geometric flows beyond pure curvature flow.
  • Numerical implementations using α equals -1 exhibit the predicted robustness without extra stabilization.

Where Pith is reading between the lines

These are editorial extensions of the paper, not claims the author makes directly.

  • Long-time simulations become feasible for a larger set of physically relevant anisotropy functions that would otherwise violate the stricter conditions required by non-optimal α.
  • The unified discretization may be inserted into existing parametric codes with only the change of a single matrix definition.
  • The optimality result suggests testing whether α equals -1 also improves accuracy in related structure-preserving schemes for volume-preserving or area-preserving anisotropic flows.

Load-bearing premise

The family of matrices Ĝ_k^α(θ) can be substituted into an existing discretization framework without introducing fresh instabilities or violating the geometric assumptions of the flow.

What would settle it

A concrete numerical run of anisotropic curvature flow on an initial curve where, for any α other than -1, the discrete energy increases over time steps even though the continuous flow energy is known to decrease.

Figures

Figures reproduced from arXiv: 2512.24875 by Weizhu Bao, Wenjun Ying, Yifei Li, Yulin Zhang.

Figure 1
Figure 1. Figure 1: An illustration of an evolving closed curve with an anisotropic surface energy density [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p002_1.png] view at source ↗
Figure 2
Figure 2. Figure 2: Convergence rates of SP-PFEM (3.7) with different [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p017_2.png] view at source ↗
Figure 3
Figure 3. Figure 3: Error comparison of SP-PFEM (3.7) at t = 0.25: (A) Case I with α = 0, ±0.5, ±0.9, ±1, ±1.1; and (B) Case II with α = 0, ±1, ±3, ±6, ±10. (h, τ ) = (2−7 , 4 −7 ) (h, τ ) = (2−8 , 4 −8 ) α Iteration count CPU time (s) Iteration count CPU time (s) -10 3278 17.9999 15856 162.2915 -5 3278 18.0083 13265 148.6691 -1 3278 18.5907 13294 151.7395 0 3278 18.6436 13304 152.5232 1 3278 18.3653 13313 151.2127 5 3278 18.… view at source ↗
Figure 4
Figure 4. Figure 4: Minimal stabilizing functions and the ratios of their [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p019_4.png] view at source ↗
Figure 5
Figure 5. Figure 5: Minimal stabilizing functions for different values of [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p019_5.png] view at source ↗
Figure 6
Figure 6. Figure 6: Weighted mesh ratio of the SP-PFEM (5.6) of an ellipse with major axis 4 and minor axis 1 under anisotropic surface [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p020_6.png] view at source ↗
Figure 7
Figure 7. Figure 7: Area and area decay rate of an ellipse with major axis 4 and minor axis 1 under anisotropic curvature flow by [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p020_7.png] view at source ↗
Figure 8
Figure 8. Figure 8: Morphological evolution of an ellipse with major axis 4 and minor axis 1 under anisotropic curvature flow by SP [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p021_8.png] view at source ↗
Figure 9
Figure 9. Figure 9: Normalized energy of SP-PFEM (3.7) for (A) Case I with [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p021_9.png] view at source ↗
Figure 10
Figure 10. Figure 10: Morphological evolution of a non-convex initial curve with large curvature variations under anisotropic curvature [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p022_10.png] view at source ↗
Figure 11
Figure 11. Figure 11: Morphological evolution of an initial curve with [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p022_11.png] view at source ↗
Figure 12
Figure 12. Figure 12: Plots of the anisotropic evolution of a self-intersecting initial curve at times [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p023_12.png] view at source ↗
Figure 13
Figure 13. Figure 13: Morphological evolution of an ellipse with major axis 8 and minor axis 1 under area-conserved anisotropic curvature [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p024_13.png] view at source ↗
Figure 14
Figure 14. Figure 14: Temporal evolution of (A) normalized area loss (blue dash line) and iteration number (red line); and (B) normalized [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p024_14.png] view at source ↗
Figure 15
Figure 15. Figure 15: Morphological evolution of a bowtie-shaped curve under area-conserved anisotropic curvature flow with anisotropy [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p025_15.png] view at source ↗
Figure 16
Figure 16. Figure 16: Snapshots of a flower initial curve under area-conserved anisotropic curvature flow with anisotropy Case II at times [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p025_16.png] view at source ↗
Figure 17
Figure 17. Figure 17: Morphological evolution of an ellipse with major axis 8 and minor axis 1 governed by anisotropic surface diffusion [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p026_17.png] view at source ↗
Figure 18
Figure 18. Figure 18: Temporal evolution of (A) normalized area loss (blue dash line) and iteration number (red line); and (B) normalized [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p026_18.png] view at source ↗
Figure 19
Figure 19. Figure 19: Anisotropic surface diffusion of a quadrifolium with anisotropy Case I at times [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p027_19.png] view at source ↗
Figure 20
Figure 20. Figure 20: Anisotropic surface diffusion of an almost slit domain with 4-fold anisotropy [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p027_20.png] view at source ↗
Figure 21
Figure 21. Figure 21: Evolution of the Bernoulli’s lemniscate governed by anisotropic surface diffusion with anisotropy Case I at times [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p028_21.png] view at source ↗
Figure 22
Figure 22. Figure 22: Normalized area and energy of a long thin film (aspect ratio of 50) governed by anisotropic surface diffusion with [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p029_22.png] view at source ↗
Figure 23
Figure 23. Figure 23: The number of islands formed from the pinch-off of a [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p029_23.png] view at source ↗
Figure 24
Figure 24. Figure 24: The number of islands formed from the pinch-off of a [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p030_24.png] view at source ↗
read the original abstract

We propose a structure-preserving parametric approximation for geometric flows with general anisotropic effects. By introducing a hyperparameter $\alpha$, we construct a unified surface energy matrix $\hat{\boldsymbol{G}}_k^\alpha(\theta)$ that encompasses all existing formulations of surface energy matrices, and apply it to anisotropic curvature flow. We prove that $\alpha=-1$ is the unique choice achieving optimal energy stability under the necessary and sufficient condition $3\hat{\gamma}(\theta)\geq\hat{\gamma}(\theta-\pi)$, while all other $\alpha\neq-1$ require strictly stronger conditions. The framework extends naturally to general anisotropic geometric flows through a unified velocity discretization that ensures energy stability. Numerical experiments validate the theoretical optimality of $\alpha=-1$ and demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness.

Editorial analysis

A structured set of objections, weighed in public.

Desk editor's note, referee report, simulated authors' rebuttal, and a circularity audit. Tearing a paper down is the easy half of reading it; the pith above is the substance, this is the friction.

Referee Report

1 major / 1 minor

Summary. The manuscript introduces a hyperparameter α to construct a unified parametric family of surface energy matrices Ĝ_k^α(θ) that encompasses prior formulations for anisotropic geometric flows. It proves that α = −1 is the unique choice yielding optimal energy stability under the necessary and sufficient condition 3γ̂(θ) ≥ γ̂(θ − π), while all other α require strictly stronger conditions; the framework is extended via a unified velocity discretization that preserves the energy law, and numerical experiments are presented to confirm the optimality of α = −1.

Significance. If the discrete-continuous energy identity holds exactly, the result supplies a principled, parameter-free selection rule for structure-preserving discretizations of anisotropic curvature flows and unifies existing matrix constructions under a single stability analysis. This would strengthen the theoretical foundation for robust numerical schemes in geometric PDEs with anisotropy.

major comments (1)
  1. [stability analysis / discrete energy law] The uniqueness and necessity claim for α = −1 rests on the discrete energy dissipation law reproducing the continuous variational identity without α-dependent remainder terms. The manuscript must explicitly verify (in the section deriving the discrete energy law) that insertion of the parametric matrix Ĝ_k^α(θ) into the velocity discretization—via any quadrature, interpolation, or inner-product approximation—introduces no truncation errors that depend on α and could therefore relax or invalidate the stated necessary-and-sufficient condition.
minor comments (1)
  1. Notation for the anisotropic metric γ̂ and the matrix family Ĝ_k^α(θ) should be introduced with a single consistent definition before the stability theorem to avoid forward references.

Simulated Author's Rebuttal

1 responses · 0 unresolved

We thank the referee for the careful reading and constructive feedback on our manuscript. The major comment raises an important point about the exactness of the discrete energy law, which we address below. We plan to incorporate a clarification to strengthen the presentation.

read point-by-point responses
  1. Referee: The uniqueness and necessity claim for α = −1 rests on the discrete energy dissipation law reproducing the continuous variational identity without α-dependent remainder terms. The manuscript must explicitly verify (in the section deriving the discrete energy law) that insertion of the parametric matrix Ĝ_k^α(θ) into the velocity discretization—via any quadrature, interpolation, or inner-product approximation—introduces no truncation errors that depend on α and could therefore relax or invalidate the stated necessary-and-sufficient condition.

    Authors: We appreciate this observation. In Section 3.2, the discrete energy law is obtained by direct substitution of Ĝ_k^α(θ) into the weak formulation of the velocity discretization. Because the chosen quadrature and inner-product rules are variationally consistent (i.e., they reproduce the exact integration-by-parts identity that underlies the continuous variational structure), no α-dependent remainder terms arise; the α-dependence is confined to the algebraic properties of the matrix that determine the stability threshold. The necessary-and-sufficient condition 3γ̂(θ) ≥ γ̂(θ−π) therefore remains valid for α = −1 independently of discretization details. To make this explicit as requested, we will add a short remark immediately after the energy-law derivation that states and briefly proves the absence of α-dependent truncation errors. revision: yes

Circularity Check

0 steps flagged

No circularity: parametric family and stability derived independently

full rationale

The paper introduces a new hyperparameter α to construct the unified matrix family Ĝ_k^α(θ) that generalizes prior formulations, then derives the optimality of α=-1 from first-principles comparison of the discrete energy dissipation to the continuous variational structure under the external condition 3γ̂(θ)≥γ̂(θ-π). This condition is stated as necessary and sufficient without being fitted from the same data or defined circularly; the proof does not reduce any prediction to an input by construction, nor does it rely on self-citations as load-bearing for the uniqueness claim. Numerical experiments serve only as validation, not as the source of the result. The derivation chain remains self-contained against the stated geometric assumptions.

Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger

1 free parameters · 1 axioms · 1 invented entities

The claim rests on the new parametric matrix family and the stability analysis under an external inequality on the anisotropy function γ̂; no additional fitted constants beyond the choice of α are introduced.

free parameters (1)
  • α
    Hyperparameter introduced to unify existing surface energy matrices; the paper proves the value -1 is optimal.
axioms (1)
  • domain assumption The proposed matrix Ĝ_k^α(θ) can be substituted into standard parametric discretizations of anisotropic curvature flow while preserving the geometric structure.
    Invoked when extending the construction from curvature flow to general anisotropic geometric flows.
invented entities (1)
  • unified surface energy matrix Ĝ_k^α(θ) no independent evidence
    purpose: To encompass all existing formulations of surface energy matrices in a single parametric family.
    New object constructed in the paper; no independent experimental evidence is supplied beyond the stability proof.

pith-pipeline@v0.9.0 · 5435 in / 1364 out tokens · 52717 ms · 2026-05-16T18:39:55.362509+00:00 · methodology

discussion (0)

Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.

Lean theorems connected to this paper

Citations machine-checked in the Pith Canon. Every link opens the source theorem in the public Lean library.

  • Foundation/AlphaCoordinateFixation.lean alpha_pin_under_high_calibration echoes
    ?
    echoes

    ECHOES: this paper passage has the same mathematical shape or conceptual pattern as the Recognition theorem, but is not a direct formal dependency.

    We introduce a hyperparameter α∈R and construct the unified α-surface energy matrix Ĝ_k^α(θ) := γ̂(θ)I₂ - nξᵀ + αξnᵀ + k(θ)nnᵀ … We prove that α=-1 is the unique choice achieving optimal energy stability under the necessary and sufficient condition 3γ̂(θ)≥γ̂(θ-π)

  • Foundation/BranchSelection.lean branch_selection echoes
    ?
    echoes

    ECHOES: this paper passage has the same mathematical shape or conceptual pattern as the Recognition theorem, but is not a direct formal dependency.

    the symmetric choice α=-1 is the only formulation achieving unconditional energy stability under … 3γ̂(θ)-γ̂(θ-π)≥0 … All other formulations require the strictly stronger condition

What do these tags mean?
matches
The paper's claim is directly supported by a theorem in the formal canon.
supports
The theorem supports part of the paper's argument, but the paper may add assumptions or extra steps.
extends
The paper goes beyond the formal theorem; the theorem is a base layer rather than the whole result.
uses
The paper appears to rely on the theorem as machinery.
contradicts
The paper's claim conflicts with a theorem or certificate in the canon.
unclear
Pith found a possible connection, but the passage is too broad, indirect, or ambiguous to say the theorem truly supports the claim.

Reference graph

Works this paper leans on

63 extracted references · 63 canonical work pages

  1. [1]

    Alvarez, F

    L. Alvarez, F. Guichard, P.-L. Lions and J.-M. Morel,Axioms and fundamental equations of image processing, Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal., 123 (1993), pp. 199– 257

  2. [2]

    Bänsch, P

    E. Bänsch, P. Morin and R. Nochetto,A finite element method for surface diffusion: the parametric case, J. Comput. Phys., 203(1) (2005), pp. 321– 343

  3. [3]

    W. Bao, W. Jiang and Y. Li,A symmetrized parametric finite element method for anisotropic surface diffusion of closed curves, SIAM J. Numer. Anal., 61(2) (2023), pp. 617– 641

  4. [4]

    Bao and Y

    W. Bao and Y. Li,A structure-preserving parametric finite element method for geometric flows with anisotropic surface energy, Numer. Math., 156 (2024), pp. 609– 639

  5. [5]

    Bao and Y

    W. Bao and Y. Li,A unified structure-preserving parametric finite element method for anisotropic surface diffusion, Math. Comp., 94(355) (2025), pp. 2113– 2149

  6. [6]

    W. Bao, Y. Li and Q. Zhao,A structure-preserving parametric finite element method for solid-state dewetting on curved substrates, Commun. Nonlinear Sci. Numer. Simul. (2025), pp. 108767

  7. [7]

    Bao and Q

    W. Bao and Q. Zhao,A structure-preserving parametric finite element method for surface diffusion, SIAM J. Numer. Anal., 59(5) (2021), pp. 2775– 2799

  8. [8]

    Bao and Q

    W. Bao and Q. Zhao,An energy-stable parametric finite element method for simulating solid-state dewetting problems in three dimensions, J. Comput. Math., 41(4) (2023), pp. 771– 796

  9. [9]

    W. Bao, W. Jiang, Y. Wang and Q. Zhao,A parametric finite element method for solid-state dewetting problems with anisotropic surface energies, J. Comput. Phys., 330 (2017), pp. 380– 400

  10. [10]

    W. Bao, H. Garcke, R. Nürnberg and Q. Zhao,Volume-preserving parametric finite element methods for axisymmetric geometric evolution equations, J. Comput. Phys., 460 (2022), pp. 111180

  11. [11]

    Barrett, H

    J. Barrett, H. Garcke and R. Nürnberg,A parametric finite element method for fourth order geometric evolution equations, J. Comput. Phys., 222(1) (2007), pp. 441– 467

  12. [12]

    Barrett, H

    J. Barrett, H. Garcke and R. Nürnberg,On the variational approximation of combined second and fourth order geometric evolution equations, SIAM J. Sci. Comput., 29(3) (2007), pp. 1006– 1041

  13. [13]

    Barrett, H

    J. Barrett, H. Garcke and R. Nürnberg,A variational formulation of anisotropic geometric evolution equations in higher dimensions, Numer. Math., 109(1) (2008), pp. 1– 44

  14. [14]

    Barrett, H

    J. Barrett, H. Garcke and R. Nürnberg,Numerical approximation of anisotropic geometric evolution equations in the plane, IMA J. Numer. Anal., 28(2) (2008), pp. 292– 330

  15. [15]

    Barrett, H

    J. Barrett, H. Garcke and R. Nürnberg,On the parametric finite element approximation of evolving hypersurfaces in R3, J. Comput. Phys., 227(9) (2008), pp. 4281– 4307

  16. [16]

    Barrett, H

    J. Barrett, H. Garcke and R. Nürnberg,On stable parametric finite element methods for the Stefan problem and the Mullins–Sekerka problem with applications to dendritic growth, J. Comput. Phys., 229(18) (2010), pp. 6270– 6299

  17. [17]

    Barrett, H

    J. Barrett, H. Garcke and R. Nürnberg,Parametric approximation of surface clusters driven by isotropic and anisotropic surface energies, Interfaces Free Bound., 12(2) (2010), pp. 187– 234

  18. [18]

    Barrett, H

    J. Barrett, H. Garcke and R. Nürnberg,Parametric finite element approximations of curvature-driven interface evolutions, , 21 (2020), pp. 275– 423

  19. [19]

    Brassel and E

    M. Brassel and E. Bretin,A modified phase field approximation for mean curvature flow with conser- vation of the volume, Math. Methods Appl. Sci., 34(10) (2011), pp. 1157– 1180. 31

  20. [20]

    Burger, F

    M. Burger, F. Haußer, C. Stöcker and A. Voigt,A level set approach to anisotropic flows with curvature regularization, J. Comput. Phys., 225(1) (2007), pp. 183– 205

  21. [21]

    Clarenz, U

    U. Clarenz, U. Diewald and M. Rumpf,Anisotropic geometric diffusion in surface processing, (2000)

  22. [22]

    Deckelnick, G

    K. Deckelnick, G. Dziuk and C. Elliott,Computation of geometric partial differential equations and mean curvature flow, Acta Numer., 14 (2005), pp. 139– 232

  23. [23]

    Deckelnick, G

    K. Deckelnick, G. Dziuk and C. Elliott,Fully discrete finite element approximation for anisotropic surface diffusion of graphs, SIAM J. Numer. Anal., 43(3) (2005), pp. 1112– 1138

  24. [24]

    Dornel, J.-C

    E. Dornel, J.-C. Barbe, F. De Crécy, G. Lacolle and J. Eymery,Surface diffusion dewetting of thin solid films: Numerical method and application to Si/ SiO 2, Phys. Rev. B, 73(11) (2006), pp. 115427

  25. [25]

    P. Du, M. Khenner and H. Wong,A tangent-plane marker-particle method for the computation of three-dimensional solid surfaces evolving by surface diffusion on a substrate, J. Comput. Phys., 229(3) (2010), pp. 813– 827

  26. [26]

    Du and X

    Q. Du and X. Feng,The phase field method for geometric moving interfaces and their numerical approximations, Handbook of numerical analysis, 21 (2020), pp. 425– 508

  27. [27]

    Dziuk,An algorithm for evolutionary surfaces, Numer

    G. Dziuk,An algorithm for evolutionary surfaces, Numer. Math., 58(1) (1990), pp. 603– 611

  28. [28]

    Dziuk,Convergence of a semi-discrete scheme for the curve shortening flow, Math

    G. Dziuk,Convergence of a semi-discrete scheme for the curve shortening flow, Math. Models Methods Appl. Sci., 4(04) (1994), pp. 589– 606

  29. [29]

    Dziuk,Discrete anisotropic curve shortening flow, SIAM J

    G. Dziuk,Discrete anisotropic curve shortening flow, SIAM J. Numer. Anal., 36(6) (1999), pp. 1808– 1830

  30. [30]

    Einstein,Equilibrium shape of crystals, (2015), pp

    T. Einstein,Equilibrium shape of crystals, (2015), pp. 215– 264

  31. [31]

    Elliott and H

    C. Elliott and H. Garcke,Diffusional phase transitions in multicomponent systems with a concentration dependent mobility matrix, Physica D, 109(3-4) (1997), pp. 242– 256

  32. [32]

    Escher, Y

    J. Escher, Y. Giga and K. Ito,On a limiting motion and self-intersections of curves moved by the intermediate surface diffusion flow, Nonlinear Anal., 47(6) (2001), pp. 3717– 3728

  33. [33]

    Escher, U

    J. Escher, U. Mayer and G. Simonett,The surface diffusion flow for immersed hypersurfaces, SIAM J. Math. Anal., 29(6) (1998), pp. 1419– 1433

  34. [34]

    T. Eto, H. Garcke and R. Nürnberg,A parametric finite element method for a degenerate multi-phase Stefan problem with triple junctions, arXiv preprint arXiv:2505.13165 (2025)

  35. [35]

    Fonseca, A

    I. Fonseca, A. Pratelli and B. Zwicknagl,Shapes of epitaxially grown quantum dots, Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal., 214 (2014), pp. 359– 401

  36. [36]

    Garcke, R

    H. Garcke, R. Nürnberg and Q. Zhao,Structure-preserving discretizations of two-phase Navier–Stokes flow using fitted and unfitted approaches, J. Comput. Phys., 489 (2023), pp. 112276

  37. [37]

    Garcke, R

    H. Garcke, R. Nürnberg and Q. Zhao,A variational front-tracking method for multiphase flow with triple junctions, Math. Comp. (2025)

  38. [38]

    M.GurtinandM.Jabbour,Interface Evolution in Three Dimensions with Curvature-Dependent Energy and Surface Diffusion: Interface-Controlled Evolution, Phase Transitions, Epitaxial Growth of Elastic Films, Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal., 163 (2002), pp. 171– 208

  39. [39]

    Math., 152(1) (2022), pp

    J.HuandB.Li,Evolving finite element methods with an artificial tangential velocity for mean curvature flow and Willmore flow, Numer. Math., 152(1) (2022), pp. 127– 181. 32

  40. [40]

    W.JiangandQ.Zhao,Sharp-interface approach for simulating solid-state dewetting in two dimensions: A Cahn–Hoffmanξ-vector formulation, Physica D, 390 (2019), pp. 69– 83

  41. [41]

    Jiang, W

    W. Jiang, W. Bao, C. Thompson and D. Srolovitz,Phase field approach for simulating solid-state dewetting problems, Acta Mater., 60(15) (2012), pp. 5578– 5592

  42. [42]

    Jiang, Y

    W. Jiang, Y. Wang, Q. Zhao, D. Srolovitz and W. Bao,Solid-state dewetting and island morphologies in strongly anisotropic materials, Scripta Mater., 115 (2016), pp. 123– 127

  43. [43]

    Jiang, Y

    W. Jiang, Y. Wang, D. Srolovitz and W. Bao,Solid-state dewetting on curved substrates, Phys. Rev. Materials, 2(11) (2018), pp. 113401

  44. [44]

    Kovács, B

    B. Kovács, B. Li and C. Lubich,A convergent evolving finite element algorithm for mean curvature flow of closed surfaces, Numer. Math., 143 (2019), pp. 797– 853

  45. [45]

    Kovács, B

    B. Kovács, B. Li and C. Lubich,A convergent evolving finite element algorithm for Willmore flow of closed surfaces, Numer. Math., 149(3) (2021), pp. 595– 643

  46. [46]

    Li and W

    Y. Li and W. Bao,An energy-stable parametric finite element method for anisotropic surface diffusion, J. Comput. Phys., 446 (2021), pp. 110658

  47. [47]

    Y. Li, W. Ying and Y. Zhang,A structure-preserving parametric finite element method with optimal energy stability condition for anisotropic surface diffusion, J. Sci. Comput., 104(3) (2025), pp. 76

  48. [48]

    Maxwell, C

    A. Maxwell, C. Thompson and W. Carter,A level-set method for simulating solid-state dewetting in systems with strong crystalline anisotropy, Acta Mater., 282 (2025), pp. 120368

  49. [49]

    Osher and R

    S. Osher and R. Fedkiw,Level set methods: an overview and some recent results, J. Comput. Phys., 169(2) (2001), pp. 463– 502

  50. [50]

    Palmer,Stability of the Wulff shape, Proc

    B. Palmer,Stability of the Wulff shape, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc., 126(12) (1998), pp. 3661– 3667

  51. [51]

    Randolph, J

    S. Randolph, J. Fowlkes, A. Melechko, K. Klein, H. Meyer, M. Simpson and P. Rack,Controlling thin film structure for the dewetting of catalyst nanoparticle arrays for subsequent carbon nanofiber growth, Nanotechnology, 18(46) (2007), pp. 465304

  52. [52]

    Reynolds,Papers on mechanical and physical subjects, (1983)

    O. Reynolds,Papers on mechanical and physical subjects, (1983)

  53. [53]

    Sapiro and A

    G. Sapiro and A. Tannenbaum,On affine plane curve evolution, J. Funct. Anal., 119(1) (1994), pp. 79– 120

  54. [54]

    Sevcovic and K

    D. Sevcovic and K. Mikula,Evolution of plane curves driven by a nonlinear function of curvature and anisotropy, SIAM J. Appl. Math., 61(5) (2001), pp. 1473– 1501

  55. [55]

    Taylor,II—mean curvature and weighted mean curvature, Acta Metall

    J. Taylor,II—mean curvature and weighted mean curvature, Acta Metall. Mater., 40(7) (1992), pp. 1475– 1485

  56. [56]

    Taylor and J

    J. Taylor and J. Cahn,Linking anisotropic sharp and diffuse surface motion laws via gradient flows, J. Statist. Phys., 77 (1994), pp. 183– 197

  57. [57]

    Thompson,Solid-state dewetting of thin films, Annu

    C. Thompson,Solid-state dewetting of thin films, Annu. Rev. Mater. Res., 42 (2012), pp. 399– 434

  58. [58]

    Wang,Modeling and simulation for solid-state dewetting problems in two dimensions, National University of Singapore (2016)

    Y. Wang,Modeling and simulation for solid-state dewetting problems in two dimensions, National University of Singapore (2016)

  59. [59]

    Xue and Y

    L. Xue and Y. Han,Pattern formation by dewetting of polymer thin film, Progr. Polymer Sci., 36(2) (2011), pp. 269– 293. 33

  60. [60]

    Yazaki,On an area-preserving crystalline motion, Calc

    S. Yazaki,On an area-preserving crystalline motion, Calc. Var. Partial Differential Equations, 14 (2002), pp. 85– 105

  61. [61]

    Ye and C

    J. Ye and C. Thompson,Mechanisms of complex morphological evolution during solid-state dewetting of single-crystal nickel thin films, Appl. Phys. Lett., 97(7) (2010)

  62. [62]

    Zhang, Y

    Y. Zhang, Y. Li and W. Ying,A stabilized parametric finite element method for surface diffusion with an arbitrary surface energy, J. Comput. Phys., 523 (2025), pp. 113605

  63. [63]

    Q. Zhao, W. Jiang and W. Bao,An energy-stable parametric finite element method for simulating solid-state dewetting, IMA J. Numer. Anal., 41(3) (2021), pp. 2026– 2055. 34