Homogenization in one-dimensional higher-order non-local models of phase transitions

Abstract We study the limit behavior of Cahn–Hilliard-type functionals in which the derivative is replaced by higher-order fractional derivatives and modulated by an oscillating factor. Depending on the ratio between the oscillation scale and the interface length, we identify three different regimes and prove $$\Gamma $$ Γ -convergence in each regime to a suitable sharp-interface limit functional. In the extreme regimes, we prove a separation-of-scales effect that enables us to highlight the difference relative to the local models.