|
Abstract:
|
One of the most important predictions of General Relativity , Einstein’s
theory of gravity , is the existence of gravitational radiation . The strongest
source of such radiation is expected to come from the merging of black holes .
Upgrades to large ground based interferometric detectors (LIGO , VIRGO ,
GEO 600 ) have increased their sensitivity to the point that the first direct
observation of a gravitational wave is expected to occur within the next few
years . The chance of detection is greatly improved by the use of simulated
waveforms which can be used as templates for signal processing . Recent advances
in numerical relativity have allowed for long stable evolution of black
hole mergers and the generation of expected waveforms .
openGR is a modular , open framework black hole evolution code developed
at The University of Texas at Austin Center for Relativity . Based on the
BSSN (strongly hyperbolic ) formulation of Einstein’s equations and the moving
puncture method , we are able to model the evolution of a binary black hole
system through the merger and extract the gravitational radiation produced .
Although we are generally interested in binary interactions , openGR is capable
of handling any number of black holes . This work serves as an overview of the
capabilities of openGR and a demonstration of the physics it can be used to
explore . |