Introduction to 3+1 Numerical Relativity

Miguel Alcubierre

Apr 2008 · International Series of Monographs on Physics Book 140 · OUP Oxford

About this ebook

This book introduces the modern field of 3+1 numerical relativity. The book has been written in a way as to be as self-contained as possible, and only assumes a basic knowledge of special relativity. Starting from a brief introduction to general relativity, it discusses the different concepts and tools necessary for the fully consistent numerical simulation of relativistic astrophysical systems, with strong and dynamical gravitational fields. Among the topics discussed in detail are the following: the initial data problem, hyperbolic reductions of the field equations, gauge conditions, the evolution of black hole space-times, relativistic hydrodynamics, gravitational wave extraction and numerical methods. There is also a final chapter with examples of some simple numerical space-times. The book is aimed at both graduate students and researchers in physics and astrophysics, and at those interested in relativistic astrophysics.

About the author

Miguel Alcubierre, Department of Gravitation and Mathematical Physics, Institute of Nuclear Science, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico