Numerical Relativity Beyond Astrophysics

TL;DR

This paper reviews numerical relativity applications beyond astrophysics, focusing on spacetime singularities, critical phenomena in black hole formation, and string theory-inspired gravitational models in higher dimensions.

Contribution

It provides an overview of non-astrophysical applications of numerical relativity, highlighting recent developments in fundamental spacetime and string theory-related research.

Findings

Insights into the nature of spacetime singularities.

Analysis of critical phenomena in gravitational collapse.

Exploration of higher-dimensional black holes and AdS spacetimes.

Abstract

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 hole formation in gravitational collapse. (iii) investigations inspired by string theory, in particular analogs of black holes in more than 4 spacetime dimensions and gravitational collapse in spacetimes with a negative cosmological constant.