Elements of numerical relativity. From Einstein's equations to black hole simulations. (Q2566829)

One of the main problems in dealing with numerical solutions of the Einstein field equation is the possible appearance of coordinate singularities: namely, it is then not easy to decide whether a divergence of a component of the metrical tensor can be removed by a coordinate transformation or not. To solve this problem, one needs a detailed knowledge about which coordinate gauge is adequate for the problem under consideration. Knowing about these difficulties, the authors of this book consequently start their text with a detailed introduction to space-time geometry, the evolution formalism, first order hyperbolic systems, boundary conditions, the Einstein-Maxwell equation and the geometry of black holes. Thus, inspite of the title mentioning numerical relativity, the present book is also interesting for and worth being read by researchers who are not at all interested in numerical relativity in the strict sense. Then the authors develop the more concrete numerical models: the plane-wave analysis, the spectral method, the finite elements method using integrals, and the finite difference approach using a lattice to approach the continuous spacetime. Several figures illustrate the numerical solutions found. References and index close this carefully presented and useful book.