Gravitational collapse of gravitational waves in 3D numerical relativity

Miguel Alcubierre, Gabrielle Allen, Bernd Brügmann, Gerd Lanfermann, Edward Seidel, Wai Mo Suen, Malcolm Tobias

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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 and non-axisymmetric Brill waves, including waves so strong that they collapse to form black holes under their own self-gravity. An estimate for the critical amplitude for black hole formation in a particular interpolating family of initial data is obtained. 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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalPhysical Review D - Particles, Fields, Gravitation and Cosmology
Volume61
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics
  • Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)

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