The incorporation of matter into characteristic numerical relativity

TL;DR

This paper presents the development and validation of a 3D characteristic numerical relativity code that incorporates matter, specifically perfect fluids, enabling advanced simulations in black hole astrophysics.

Contribution

It introduces a new extension to existing vacuum Einstein equation codes by including matter, enhancing capabilities for astrophysical simulations.

Findings

Code is stable with matter inclusion

Validated in multiple test cases

Supports black hole astrophysics research

Abstract

A code that implements Einstein equations in the characteristic formulation in 3D has been developed and thoroughly tested for the vacuum case. Here, we describe how to incorporate matter, in the form of a perfect fluid, into the code. The extended code has been written and validated in a number of cases. It is stable and capable of contributing towards an understanding of a number of problems in black hole astrophysics.