Gravitational Collapse of Gravitational Waves in 3D Numerical Relativity

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the successful numerical evolution of complex 3D gravitational waves, including black hole formation, providing insights into gravitational collapse and wave emission in strong-field regimes.

Contribution

It introduces a method for simulating non-linear 3D gravitational wave evolutions, including black hole formation, in numerical relativity, which was previously challenging.

Findings

Black hole formation threshold identified for Brill waves.

Gravitational wave signatures compared to black hole collisions.

Numerical relativity techniques extended to non-axisymmetric scenarios.

Abstract

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 collision of two Misner black holes.