5–9 Jul 2026
University of Canterbury
Pacific/Auckland timezone

Gravitational wave simulations from past to future null infinity

8 Jul 2026, 17:00
20m
Room E5 (Rātā / Engineering Core Building, University of Canterbury)

Room E5

Rātā / Engineering Core Building, University of Canterbury

63 Creyke Road, Ilam, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
Parallel Session Talk Parallel sessions

Speaker

Chris Stevens (University of Canterbury)

Description

We present fully nonlinear numerical simulations of asymptotically flat spacetimes whose computational domain includes both past and future null infinity. Using Friedrich's generalised conformal field equations, we study the scattering of gravitational waves by a Schwarzschild black hole and compute asymptotic quantities, including the Bondi energy and Bondi news, on both null infinities. This framework allows a direct numerical investigation of how incoming gravitational radiation at past null infinity is related to outgoing radiation at future null infinity. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of studying gravitational scattering in this setting and provide a step toward connecting numerical relativity with scattering problems in general relativity.

Research Area Mathematical and Numerical Relativity

Authors

Chris Stevens (University of Canterbury) Prof. Jörg Frauendiener (University of Otago) Ms Sebenele Thwala (University of Canterbury)

Presentation materials