Numerical Relativity: Starting from Scratch
Cambridge University Press, 4/8/2021
EAN 9781108844116, ISBN10: 1108844111
Hardcover, 234 pages, 23.6 x 15.5 x 1.3 cm
Language: English
Originally published in English
Numerical relativity has emerged as the key tool to model gravitational waves - recently detected for the first time - that are emitted when black holes or neutron stars collide. This book provides a pedagogical, accessible, and concise introduction to the subject. Relying heavily on analogies with Newtonian gravity, scalar fields and electromagnetic fields, it introduces key concepts of numerical relativity in a context familiar to readers without prior expertise in general relativity. Readers can explore these concepts by working through numerous exercises, and can see them 'in action' by experimenting with the accompanying Python sample codes, and so develop familiarity with many techniques commonly employed by publicly available numerical relativity codes. This is an attractive, student-friendly resource for short courses on numerical relativity, as well as providing supplementary reading for courses on general relativity and computational physics.
Preface
1. Newton's and Einstein's gravity
2. Foliations of spacetime
constraint and evolution equations
3. Solving the constraint equations
4 Solving the evolution equations
5. Numerical simulations of black-hole binaries
Epilogue
Appendix A. A brief review of tensor properties
Appendix B. A brief introduction to some numerical techniques
Appendix C. A very brief introduction to matter sources
Appendix D. A summary of important results
Appendix E. Answers to selected problems
References
Index.