U.S.-Argentina Cooperative Research: Hyperbolic Formulations of the Einstein Equations for the Binary Black Hole Problem

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge LA

Investigators

Abstract

0204937 Pullin In this US-Argentina award, Dr. Jorge Pullin of Louisiana State University will collaborate with Dr. Oscar Reula of the Universidad Nacional de Cordoba in Argentina to study the application of hyperbolic formulations of the Einstein equations of general relativity in order to provide stable evolution schemes for the binary black hole coalescence problem. Among the studies they will undertake is the use of linearized and other approximation techniques and lower dimensional modeling to determine stable configurations of equations, boundary condition issues, and how various gauge choices influence the stability of the schemes. The problem of how to solve Einstein's equations numerically for astrophysically interesting simulations is one of the most urgent problems in general relativity today. To numerically model the collision of two black holes is of critical importance, since that is expected to be one of the main sources of gravitational radiation to be detected by the NSF-funded Laser Interferometer Gravity Wave Observatory (LIGO). It is expected that the last moments of the collision will produce a significant burst of gravitational radation that, due to the strong field nature and lack of symmetries of the problem, can only be predicted by numerical simulation. The combined knowledge and experience of this international collaboration will work toward solving this important problem.