Problems in computational relativity

该提案中要求的资金支持的研究将使Choptuik领导的UBC数值相对论小组能够保持并建立其作为世界领先的计算相对论研究中心之一的声誉。计算相对论（Computational Relativity）数值相对论（numerical relativity）对于爱因斯坦场方程（Einstein field equations）的意义，正如数值天气预报对于气象学的意义一样，就我们所知，爱因斯坦场方程提供了相对论（即“后牛顿”）引力的正确经典描述。数值相对主义者，比如那些在Choptuik小组工作并开始接受培训的人，使用超级计算机来模拟两个黑洞或两颗中子星碰撞等灾难性事件。 这些研究有可能加速地球对引力辐射的发现-爱因斯坦本人在近90年前首次预测，但尽管迄今为止在引力波探测器上投资了数十亿美元，但尚未观测到。然而，作为一个整体，Choptuik研究计划的主要动力将继续是详细了解强场引力的性质的愿望，记住理解动力学，强场引力仍然是理论物理学的伟大前沿之一，尽管至少有一些弦理论家声称！将模拟的具体物理场景包括中子星-中子星星，或中子星-黑洞双星，在重力辐射诱导的螺旋上升的后期阶段，以及更具理论性质的场景，如动态不稳定的“黑弦”的最终命运。该提案支持的许多计算将在超大型计算机上运行，典型的单个作业同时在100个或更多处理器上运行。

The research supported by funds requested in this proposal will enable the numerical relativity group at UBC, lead by Choptuik, to maintain and build on its reputation as one of the world's leading centers for research in computational relativity. Computational relativity (a.k.a. numerical relativity), is to the Einstein field equations---which, so far as we know, provide the correct classical description of relativistic (that is, "post-Newton") gravitation---as numerical weather forecasting is to meteorology. Numerical relativists, such as those working and begin trained in Choptuik's group, use supercomputers to model such cataclysmic events as the collision of two black holes, or two neutron stars.  Such studies have the  potential to accelerate the terrestrial discovery of gravitational radiation--first predicted by Einstein himself almost 90 years ago, but as yet unobserved despite the investment of the order of billions of dollars to date on gravitational wave detectors. However, the prime motivator for  Choptuik's research program as a whole will continue to be a desire to understand, in detail, the nature of strong field gravity, bearing in mind that understanding dynamical, strong field gravity remains one of the great frontiers of theoretical physics, claims of at least some string theorists notwithstanding! Specific physical scenarios that will be modelled include neutron star-neutron star, or neutron star-black hole binaries, in the late stages of gravitional-radiation induced inspiral, as well as scenarios of a more theoretical nature, such as the ultimate fate of a dynamically unstable "black string". Many of the calculations supported by this proposal will be run on extremely large computers, with typical single jobs running simultaneously on 100 processors or more.