Dislocation dynamics: short time existence and uniqueness of the solution

We study a mathematical model describing dislocation dynamics in crystals. We consider a single dislocation line moving in its slip plane. The normal velocity is given by the Peach-Koehler force created by the dislocation line itself. The mathematical model is an eikonal equation whose velocity is a non-local quantity depending on the whole shape of the dislocation line. We study the special cases where the dislocation line is assumed to be a graph or a closed loop. In the framework of discontinuous viscosity solutions for HamiltonJacobi equations, we prove the existence and uniqueness of a solution for small time. We also give physical explanations and a formal derivation of the mathematical model. Finally, we present numerical results based on a level-sets formulation of the problem. These results illustrate in particular the fact that there is no general inclusion principle for this model. AMS Classification: 35F25, 35D05.