We discuss a set of relations, set in the form of results, conjectures and problems, between the L^{2}-norm of the Ricci curvature of a 3-manifold, the scalar curvature and the volume radius. We illustrate the scope of these relations with potential applications to the Einstein Constant Mean Curvature flow (or GR seen as a geometric flow of constant mean curvature), but we believe the framework has it own geometric interest.
In general relativity, spatial light rays of static spherically symmetric spacetimes are geodesics of surfaces in Riemannian optical geometry. In this paper, we apply results on the isoperimetric problem to show that length-minimizing curves subject to an area constraint are circles, and discuss implications for the photon spheres of Schwarzschild, Reissner-Nordstrom, as well as continuous mass models solving the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equation. Moreover, we derive an isoperimetric inequality for gravitational lensing in Riemannian optical geometry, using curve shortening flow and the Gaus…
The radial collapse of a homogeneous disk of collisionless particles can be solved analytically in Newtonian gravitation. To solve the problem in general relativity, however, requires the full machinery of numerical relativity. The collapse of a disk is the simplest problem that exhibits the two most significant and challenging features of strong-field gravitation: black hole formation and gravitational wave generation. We carry out dynamical calculations of several different relativistic disk systems. We explore the growth of ring instabilities in equilibrium disks, and how they are suppresse…
Based on the isoperimetric inequality, G. Huisken proposed a definition of total mass in general relativity that is equivalent to the ADM mass for (smooth) asymptotically flat 3-manifolds of nonnegative scalar curvature, but that is well-defined in greater generality. In a similar vein, we use the isocapacitary inequality (bounding capacity from below in terms of volume) to suggest a new definition of total mass. We prove an inequality between it and the ADM mass, and prove the reverse inequality with harmonically flat asymptotics, or, with general asymptotics, for exhaustions by balls (as opp…
We compare the gravitational collapse of homogeneous perfect fluid with various equations of state in the framework of General Relativity and in $R^2$ gravity. We make our calculations using dimensionless time with characteristic timescale $t_{g}\sim (Gρ)^{-1/2}$ where $ρ$ is a density of collapsing matter. The cases of matter, radiation and stiff matter are considered. We also account the possible existence of vacuum energy and its influence on gravitational collapse. In a case of $R^2$ gravity we have additional degree of freedom for initial conditions of collapse. For barotropic equation of…
We demonstrate that evolutions of three-dimensional, strongly non-linear gravitational waves can be followed in numerical relativity, hence allowing many interesting studies of both fundamental and observational consequences. We study the evolution of time-symmetric, axisymmetric {\it and} non-axisymmetric Brill waves, including waves so strong that they collapse to form black holes under their own self-gravity. The critical amplitude for black hole formation is determined. The gravitational waves emitted in the black hole formation process are compared to those emitted in the head-on collisio…
We provide a covariant derivation of plasma physics coupled to gravitation by utilizing the 3+1 formulation of general relativity, including a discussion of the Lorentz force law. We then reduce the system to the spherically symmetric case and show that all regions of the spacetime can be represented in a single coordinate system, thus revoking the need for junction conditions. We further show that the region exterior to the collapsing region is naturally described by the charged Vaidya spacetime in non-null coordinates.
We discuss a number of long-standing theoretical questions about collapse to black holes in the Brans-Dicke theory of gravitation. Using a new numerical code, we show that Oppenheimer-Snyder collapse in this theory produces black holes that are identical to those of general relativity in final equilibrium, but are quite different from those of general relativity during dynamical evolution. We find that there are epochs during which the apparent horizon of such a black hole passes {\it outside\/} the event horizon, and that the surface area of the event horizon {\it decreases\/} with time. This…
Motivated by a recent paper by the Potsdam numerical relativity group, we have constructed a new numerical code for hydrodynamic simulation of axisymmetric systems in full general relativity. In this code, we solve the Einstein field equation using Cartesian coordinates with appropriate boundary conditions. On the other hand, the hydrodynamic equations are solved in cylindrical coordinates. Using this code, we perform simulations to study axisymmetric collapse of rotating stars, which thereby become black holes or new compact stars, in full general relativity. To investigate the effects of rot…
An original way of presentation of the Schwarzschild black hole in the form of a point-like mass with making the use of the Dirac $δ$-function, including a description of a continuous collapse to such a point mass, is given. A maximally generalized description restricted by physically reasonable requirements is developed. A so-called field-theoretical formulation of general relativity, being equivalent to the standard geometrical presentation of general relativity, is used. All of the dynamical fields, including the gravitational field, are considered as propagating in a background (curved or …
We study a class of Hamiltonian deformations of the massless Einstein-Klein-Gordon system in spherical symmetry for which the Dirac constraint algebra closes. The system may be regarded as providing effective equations for quantum gravitational collapse. Guided by the observation that scalar field fluxes do not follow metric null directions due to the deformation, we find that the equations take a simple form in characteristic coordinates. We analyse these equations by a unique combination of numerical methods and find that Choptuik's mass scaling law is modified by a mass gap as well as jagge…
Gravitational collapse of a class of spherically symmetric stars are investigated. We quantise the geometries describing the gravitational collapse by a deformation quantisation procedure. This gives rise to noncommutative spacetimes with gravitational collapse.
The dynamics of collapsing and expanding cylindrically symmetric gravitational and matter fields with lightlike wave-fronts is studied in General Relativity, using the Barrabes-Israel method. As an application of the general formulae developed, the collapse of a matter field that satisfies the condition R_{AB}g^{AB} = 0, (A, B = z, phi), in an otherwise flat spacetime background is studied. In particular, it is found that the gravitational collapse of a purely gravitational wave or a null dust fluid cannot be realized in a flat spacetime background. The studies are further specified to the col…
Numerical Relativity is a mature field with many applications in Astrophysics, Cosmology and even in Fundamental Physics. As such, we are entering a stage in which new sophisticated methods adapted to open problems are being developed. In this paper, we advocate the use of Pseudo-Spectral Collocation (PSC) methods in combination with high-order precision arithmetic for Numerical Relativity problems with high accuracy and performance requirements. The PSC method provides exponential convergence (for smooth problems, as is the case in many problems in Numerical Relativity) and we can use differe…
The gravitational collapse in fourth order theories of gravity defined by an arbitrary action of the scalar curvature shows significant deviations with General Relativity. The presence of a new scalar mode produces a higher initial contraction that favors the reduction of the collapsing time. However, depending on the particular model, there are fundamental differences when the modifications to the General Relativity collapse leave the linear regime. These analyses can be used to exclude an important region of the parameter space associated with alternative gravitational models.
Hypermassive neutron stars (HMNSs) -- equilibrium configurations supported against collapse by rapid differential rotation -- are possible transient remnants of binary neutron star mergers. Using newly developed codes for magnetohydrodynamic simulations in dynamical spacetimes, we are able to track the evolution of a magnetized HMNS in full general relativity for the first time. We find that secular angular momentum transport due to magnetic braking and the magnetorotational instability results in the collapse of an HMNS to a rotating black hole, accompanied by a gravitational wave burst. The …
We perform 3D numerical simulations in full general relativity to study the stability of rapidly rotating, supramassive neutron stars at the mass-shedding limit to dynamical collapse. We adopt an adiabatic equation of state with $Γ= 2$ and focus on uniformly rotating stars. We find that the onset of dynamical instability along mass-shedding sequences nearly coincides with the onset of secular instability. Unstable stars collapse to rotating black holes within about one rotation period. We also study the collapse of stable stars which have been destabilized by pressure depletion (e.g. via a pha…
Though the main applications of computer simulations in relativity are to astrophysical systems such as black holes and neutron stars, nonetheless there are important applications of numerical methods to the investigation of general relativity as a fundamental theory of the nature of space and time. This paper gives an overview of some of these applications. In particular we cover (i) investigations of the properties of spacetime singularities such as those that occur in the interior of black holes and in big bang cosmology. (ii) investigations of critical behavior at the threshold of black ho…
We present results from the first 2D and 3D simulations of the collapse of rotating stellar iron cores in general relativity employing a finite-temperature equation of state and an approximate treatment of deleptonization during collapse. We compare fully nonlinear and conformally flat spacetime evolution methods and find that the conformally flat treatment is sufficiently accurate for the core-collapse supernova problem. We focus on the gravitational wave (GW) emission from rotating collapse, core bounce, and early postbounce phases. Our results indicate that the GW signature of these phases …
As is well known, the 0 - 0 component of the Schwarzschild space can be obtained by the requirement that the geodesic of slowly moving particles match the Newtonian equation. Given this result, we show here that the remaining components can be obtained by requiring that the inside of a Newtonian ball of dust matched at a free falling radius with the external space determines that space to be Schwarzschild, if no pathologies exist. Also we are able to determine that the constant of integration that appears in the Newtonian Cosmology, coincides with the spatial curvature of the FLRW metric. Thes…
We present results from the first 2+1 and 3+1 simulations of the collapse of rotating stellar iron cores in general relativity employing a finite-temperature equation of state and an approximate treatment of deleptonization during collapse. We compare full 3+1 and conformally-flat spacetime evolution methods and find that the conformally-flat treatment is sufficiently accurate for the core-collapse supernova problem. We focus on the gravitational wave (GW) emission from rotating collapse, core bounce, and early postbounce phases. Our results indicate that the GW signature of these phases is mu…
In a recent paper we showed that the collapse to a black hole in one-parameter families of initial data for massless, minimally coupled scalar fields in spherically symmetric semi-classical loop quantum gravity exhibited a universal mass scaling similar to the one in classical general relativity. In particular, no evidence of a mass gap appeared as had been suggested by previous studies. The lack of a mass gap indicated the possible existence of a self-similar critical solution as in general relativity. Here we provide further evidence for its existence. Using an adaptive mesh refinement code,…
In this paper, by making use of the perturbative expansion around topological field theory we are trying to understand why the standard perturbation theory for General Relativity, which starts with linearized gravity does not see gravitational collapse. We start with investigating classical equations of motion. For zero Immirzi parameter the ambiguity of the standard perturbative expansion is reproduced. This ambiguity is related to the appearance of the linearized diffeomorphism symmetry, which becomes unlinked from the original diffeomorphism symmetry. Introducing Immirzi parameter makes it …
We discuss the occurrence of gravitational phase transitions and instabilities in a gas of self-gravitating fermions within the framework of general relativity. In the classical (nondegenerate) limit, the system undergoes a gravitational collapse at low energies $E<E_c$ and low temperatures $T<T_c$. This is called "gravothermal catastrophe" in the microcanonical ensemble and "isothermal collapse" in the canonical ensemble. When quantum mechanics is taken into account and when the particle number is below the Oppenheimer-Volkoff limit ($N<N_{\rm OV}$), complete gravitational collapse is prevent…
The Thomas-Fermi model is extended at finite temperature, to describe the gravitational phase transition occurring in massive fermionic systems in a general-relativistic framework. It is shown that, when a nondegenerate fermionic gas (for $N < N_{OV}$, where $N_{OV}$ is the Oppenheimer-Volkoff limit) is cooled down below a critical temperature, a condensed phase emerges and the gravitational collapse is prevented by quantum mechanics. If $N > N_{OV}$, by contrast, the system is destined to collapse towards a Black Hole because no equilibrium states exist.
The existence of extremely dark and compact astronomical bodies is by now a well established observational fact. On the other hand, classical General Relativity predicts the existence of black holes which fit very well with the observations, but do lead to important conceptual problems. In this contribution we ask ourselves the straightforward question: Are the dark and compact objects that we have observational evidence for black holes in the sense of General Relativity? By revising the semiclassical scenario of stellar collapse we find out that as the result of a collapse some alternative ob…
Approximating General Relativity in Core-Collapse Supernova Simulations
National Center for Computational Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory（橡树岭国家实验室国家计算科学中心）；Physics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory（橡树岭国家实验室物理部）；Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee, Knoxville（田纳西大学诺克斯维尔分校物理与天文学系）
The weight of light: colliding pulses of radiation in General Relativity
CENTRA, Departamento de Física, Instituto Superior Técnico – IST, Universidade de Lisboa – UL（里斯本大学高等理工学院物理系CENTRA）；Center of Gravity, Niels Bohr Institute（尼尔斯·玻尔研究所引力中心）
We review various approaches to approximating general relativistic effects in hydrodynamic simulations of stellar core collapse and post-bounce evolution. Different formulations of a modified Newtonian gravitational potential are presented. Such an effective relativistic potential can be used in an otherwise standard Newtonian hydrodynamic code. An alternative approximation of general relativity is the assumption of conformal flatness for the three-metric, and its extension by adding second post-Newtonian order terms. Using a code which evolves the coupled system of metric and fluid equations,…
One of the longstanding issues in numerical relativity is to enable a simulation taking account of microphysical processes (e.g., weak interactions and neutrino cooling). We develop an approximate and explicit scheme in the fully general relativistic framework as a first implementation of the microphysics toward a more realistic and sophisticated modeling. In this paper, we describe in detail a method for implementation of a realistic equation of state, the electron capture and the neutrino cooling in a multidimensional, fully general relativistic code. The procedure is based on the so-called …
Axisymmetric numerical simulations of rotating stellar core collapse to a neutron star are performed in the framework of full general relativity. The so-called Cartoon method, in which the Einstein field equations are solved in the Cartesian coordinates and the axisymmetric condition is imposed around the $y=0$ plane, is adopted. The hydrodynamic equations are solved in the cylindrical coordinates (on the $y=0$ plane in the Cartesian coordinates) using a high-resolution shock-capturing scheme with the maximum grid size $(2500,2500)$. A parametric equation of state is adopted to model collapsin…
Gravitational waves from core collapse of rotating very-massive stars: 3D numerical relativity computation
The Pennsylvania State University（宾夕法尼亚州立大学）；Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik (Albert-Einstein-Institut)（马克斯·普朗克引力物理学研究所（阿尔伯特·爱因斯坦研究所））；Kyoto University（京都大学）；Tohoku University（东北大学）
Several applications of spectral methods to problems related to the relativistic astrophysics of compact objects are presented. Based on a proper definition of the analytical properties of regular tensorial functions we have developed a spectral method in a general sphericallike coordinate system. The applications include the investigation of spherically symmetric neutron star collapse as well as the solution of the coupled 2D-Einstein-Maxwell equations for magnetized, rapidly rotating neutron stars. In both cases the resulting codes are efficient and give results typically several orders of m…
As first discovered by Choptuik, the black hole threshold in the space of initial data for general relativity shows both surprising structure and surprising simplicity. Universality, power-law scaling of the black hole mass, and scale echoing have given rise to the term "critical phenomena". They are explained by the existence of exact solutions which are attractors within the black hole threshold, that is, attractors of codimension one in phase space, and which are typically self-similar. Critical phenomena give a natural route from smooth initial data to arbitrarily large curvatures visible …
We present results from axisymmetric stellar core collapse simulations in general relativity. Our hydrodynamics code has proved robust and accurate enough to allow for a detailed analysis of the global dynamics of the collapse. Contrary to traditional approaches based on the 3+1 formulation of the gravitational field equations, our framework uses a foliation based on a family of outgoing light cones, emanating from a regular center, and terminating at future null infinity. Such a coordinate system is well adapted to the study of interesting dynamical spacetimes in relativistic astrophysics suc…
Einstein's field equations in general relativity admit a variety of solutions with spacetime singularities. Numerical relativity has recently revealed the properties of somewhat generic spacetime singularities. It has been found that in a variety of systems self-similar solutions can describe asymptotic or intermediate behaviour of more general solutions in an approach to singularities. The typical example is the convergence to an attractor self-similar solution in gravitational collapse. This is closely related to the cosmic censorship violation in the spherically symmetric collapse of a perf…
We study the evolution in axisymmetry of accretion disks formed self-consistently through collapse of magnetized hypermassive neutron stars to black holes. Such stars can arise following the merger of binary neutron stars. They are differentially rotating, dynamically stable, and have rest masses exceeding the mass limit for uniform rotation. However, hypermassive neutron stars are secularly unstable to collapse due to MHD-driven angular momentum transport. The rotating black hole which forms in this process is surrounded by a hot, massive, magnetized torus and a magnetic field collimated alon…
General relativity as well as Newtonian gravity admits self-similar solutions due to its scale-invariance. This is a review on these self-similar solutions and their relevance to gravitational collapse. In particular, our attention is mainly paid on the crucial role of self-similar solutions in the critical behavior and attraction in gravitational collapse.
Implementation of multi-grid Poisson solver in numerical relativity and its application to gravitational collapse of massive star
Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute)（马克斯·普朗克引力物理研究所（爱因斯坦研究所））；Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kyoto University（京都大学汤川理论物理研究所）；Aomori University（青森大学）
As first discovered by Choptuik, the black hole threshold in the space of initial data for general relativity shows both surprising structure and surprising simplicity. Universality, power-law scaling of the black hole mass, and scale echoing have given rise to the term ``critical phenomena''. They are explained by the existence of exact solutions which are attractors within the black hole threshold, that is, attractors of codimension one in phase space, and which are typically self-similar. This review gives an introduction to the phenomena, tries to summarize the essential features of what i…
In general relativity black holes can be formed from regular initial data that do not contain a black hole already. The space of regular initial data for general relativity therefore splits naturally into two halves: data that form a black hole in the evolution and data that do not. The spacetimes that are evolved from initial data near the black hole threshold have many properties that are mathematically analogous to a critical phase transition in statistical mechanics. Solutions near the black hole threshold go through an intermediate attractor, called the critical solution. The critical sol…
We present the first fully general relativistic dynamical simulations of Abelian Higgs cosmic strings using 3+1D numerical relativity. Focusing on cosmic string loops, we show that they collapse due to their tension and can either (i) unwind and disperse or (ii) form a black hole, depending on their tension $Gμ$ and initial radius. We show that these results can be predicted using an approximate formula derived using the hoop conjecture, and argue that it is independent of field interactions. We extract the gravitational waveform produced in the black hole formation case and show that it is do…
The next observing runs of advanced gravitational-wave detectors will lead to a variety of binary neutron star detections and numerous possibilities for multi-messenger observations of binary neutron star systems. In this context a clear understanding of the merger process and the possibility of prompt black hole formation after merger is important, as the amount of ejected material strongly depends on the merger dynamics. These dynamics are primarily affected by the total mass of the binary, however, the mass ratio also influences the postmerger evolution. To determine the effect of the mass …
Spherical scalar collapse in f(R) gravity is studied numerically in double-null coordinates in the Einstein frame. Dynamics in the vicinity of the singularity of the formed black hole is examined via mesh refinement and asymptotic analysis. Before the collapse, the scalar degree of freedom f' is coupled to a physical scalar field, and general relativity is restored. During the collapse, the major energy of the physical scalar field moves to the center. As a result, f' loses the coupling and becomes light, and gravity transits from general relativity to f(R) gravity. Due to strong gravity from …
It is well-known that considerations of symmetry lead to the definition of a host of conserved quantities (energy, linear momentum, center of mass, etc.) for an asymptotically flat initial data set, and a great deal of progress in Mathematical Relativity in recent decades essentially amounts to establishing fundamental properties for such quantities (positive mass theorems, Penrose inequalities, geometric representation of the center of mass by means of isoperimetric foliations at infinity, etc.) under suitable energy conditions. In this article I first review certain aspects of this classical…
We perform axisymmetric simulations of the magnetorotational collapse of very massive stars in full general relativity. Our simulations are applicable to the collapse of supermassive stars (M > 10^3M_sun) and to very massive Pop III stars. We model our initial configurations by n=3 polytropes. The ratio of magnetic to rotational kinetic energy in these configurations is chosen to be small (1% and 10%). We find that such magnetic fields do not affect the initial collapse significantly. The core collapses to a black hole, after which black hole excision is employed to continue the evolution long…
In a previous paper we have set up the Wheeler-DeWitt equation which describes the quantum general relativistic collapse of a spherical dust cloud. In the present paper we specialize this equation to the case of matter perturbations around a black hole, and show that in the WKB approximation, the wave-functional describes an eternal black hole in equilibrium with a thermal bath at Hawking temperature.
There is compelling evidence that supermassive black holes exist. Yet the origin of these objects, or their seeds, is still unknown. We discuss several plausible scenarios for forming the seeds of supermassive black holes. These include the catastrophic collapse of supermassive stars, the collapse of relativistic clusters of collisionless particles or stars, the gravothermal evolution of dense clusters of ordinary stars or stellar-mass compact objects, and the gravothermal evolution of self-interacting dark matter halos. Einstein's equations of general relativity are required to describe key f…
We determine the threshold mass for prompt (no bounce) black hole formation in equal-mass neutron star (NS) mergers using a new set of 227 numerical relativity simulations. We consider 23 phenomenological and microphysical finite temperature equations of state (EOS), including models with hyperons and first-order phase transitions to deconfined quarks. We confirm the existence of EOS-insensitive relations between the threshold mass, the binary tidal parameter at the threshold ($Λ_{th}$), the maximum mass of nonrotating NSs, and the radii of reference mass NSs. We correct the systematic errors …
