Stability of the totally implicit finite difference scheme for the one-dimensional diffusion equation with a moving boundary

We analyze the totally implicitO(h ² k) finite difference method applied to a linear unidimensional diffusion equation with a boundary moving with constant velocity. The related physical problem is the solidification of a finite column filled with a binary mixture, in the quasiequilibrium regime. By advancing the boundary along the pathh/k=velocity of the interface, a simple algorithm is obtained which is shown to be consistent and unconditionally stable for any value of the interfacial segregation factor and of the Peclet number.