Two-Dimensional Motion of Idealized Grain Boundaries

To represent ideal grain boundary motion in two dimensions, a rule of motion of plane curves is considered whereby any given point of a curve moves toward its center of curvature with a speed that is proportional to the curvature. A general theorem is deduced concerning the change of area enclosed by such a curve. Three families of curves are found that obey the curvature rule of motion while undergoing the shape preserving transformations of uniform magnification, translation, and rotation respectively. Pieces of these curves represent the steady shapes of idealized grain boundaries under certain symmetrical conditions.