Finite element approximation of a model for phase separation of a multi-component alloy with nonsmooth free energy and a concentration dependent mobility matrix

We consider a model for phase separation of a multi-component alloy with nonsmooth free energy and a concentration dependent mobility matrix. In particular we prove that there exists a unique solution for sufficiently smooth initial data. Further, we prove an error bound for a fully practical piecewise linear finite element approximation in one and two space dimensions. Finally numerical experiments with three components in one space dimension are presented.