Increasing the Accuracy of Binary Neutron Star Simulations with an improved Vacuum Treatment

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new vacuum treatment method in binary neutron star simulations that improves mass conservation and tracking of ejected material, enhancing the accuracy of multi-messenger astrophysical observations.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel framework for effectively setting the surrounding density to zero, improving simulation accuracy without affecting bulk motion or gravitational-wave signals.

Findings

Enhanced mass conservation in simulations

Better tracking of outward moving material

No impact on gravitational-wave emission

Abstract

Numerical relativity simulations are essential to study the last stages of the binary neutron star coalescence. Unfortunately, for stable simulations there is the need to add an artificial low-density atmosphere. Here we discuss a new framework in which we can effectively set the density surrounding the neutron stars to zero to ensure a more accurate simulation. We test our method with a number of single star test cases and for an equal mass binary neutron star simulation. While the bulk motion of the system is not influenced, and hence, there is no improvement with respect to the emitted gravitational-wave signal, we find that the new approach is superior with respect to mass conservation and it allows a much better tracking of outward moving material. This will allow a more accurate simulation of the ejected material and supports the interpretation of present and future multi-messenger observations with more accurate numerical relativity simulations.