A Novel Logarithmic Approach to General Relativistic Hydrodynamics in Dynamical Spacetimes

We introduce a novel logarithmic approach within the Baumgarte–Shapiro–Shibata–Nakamura (BSSN) formalism for self-consistently solving the equations of general relativistic hydrodynamics (GRHD) in evolving curved spacetimes. This method employs a “3 + 1” decomposition of spacetime, complemented by t...

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Main Authors: Mario Imbrogno, Rita Megale, Luca Del Zanna, Sergio Servidio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Universe
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1997/11/6/194
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author Mario Imbrogno
Rita Megale
Luca Del Zanna
Sergio Servidio
author_facet Mario Imbrogno
Rita Megale
Luca Del Zanna
Sergio Servidio
author_sort Mario Imbrogno
collection DOAJ
description We introduce a novel logarithmic approach within the Baumgarte–Shapiro–Shibata–Nakamura (BSSN) formalism for self-consistently solving the equations of general relativistic hydrodynamics (GRHD) in evolving curved spacetimes. This method employs a “3 + 1” decomposition of spacetime, complemented by the “1 + log” slicing condition and Gamma-driver shift conditions, which have been shown to improve numerical stability in spacetime evolution. A key innovation of our work is the logarithmic transformation applied to critical variables such as rest-mass density, energy density, and pressure, thus preserving physical positivity and mitigating numerical issues associated with extreme variations. Our formulation is fully compatible with advanced numerical techniques, including spectral methods and Fourier-based algorithms, and it is particularly suited for simulating highly nonlinear regimes in which gravitational fields play a significant role. This approach aims to provide a solid foundation for future numerical implementations and investigations of relativistic hydrodynamics, offering promising new perspectives for modeling complex astrophysical phenomena in strong gravitational fields, including matter evolution around compact objects like neutron stars and black holes, turbulent flows in the early universe, and the nonlinear evolution of cosmic structures.
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spelling doaj-art-c5cc3f3dde2f4386933442aa112612972025-08-20T03:26:56ZengMDPI AGUniverse2218-19972025-06-0111619410.3390/universe11060194A Novel Logarithmic Approach to General Relativistic Hydrodynamics in Dynamical SpacetimesMario Imbrogno0Rita Megale1Luca Del Zanna2Sergio Servidio3Dipartimento di Fisica, Università della Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, Arcavacata, 87036 Cosenza, ItalyDipartimento di Fisica, Università della Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, Arcavacata, 87036 Cosenza, ItalyDipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Università Degli Studi di Firenze e INFN-Sezione di Firenze, Via G. Sansone 1, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Firenze, ItalyDipartimento di Fisica, Università della Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, Arcavacata, 87036 Cosenza, ItalyWe introduce a novel logarithmic approach within the Baumgarte–Shapiro–Shibata–Nakamura (BSSN) formalism for self-consistently solving the equations of general relativistic hydrodynamics (GRHD) in evolving curved spacetimes. This method employs a “3 + 1” decomposition of spacetime, complemented by the “1 + log” slicing condition and Gamma-driver shift conditions, which have been shown to improve numerical stability in spacetime evolution. A key innovation of our work is the logarithmic transformation applied to critical variables such as rest-mass density, energy density, and pressure, thus preserving physical positivity and mitigating numerical issues associated with extreme variations. Our formulation is fully compatible with advanced numerical techniques, including spectral methods and Fourier-based algorithms, and it is particularly suited for simulating highly nonlinear regimes in which gravitational fields play a significant role. This approach aims to provide a solid foundation for future numerical implementations and investigations of relativistic hydrodynamics, offering promising new perspectives for modeling complex astrophysical phenomena in strong gravitational fields, including matter evolution around compact objects like neutron stars and black holes, turbulent flows in the early universe, and the nonlinear evolution of cosmic structures.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1997/11/6/194general relativityrelativistic hydrodynamicsnumerical relativity
spellingShingle Mario Imbrogno
Rita Megale
Luca Del Zanna
Sergio Servidio
A Novel Logarithmic Approach to General Relativistic Hydrodynamics in Dynamical Spacetimes
Universe
general relativity
relativistic hydrodynamics
numerical relativity
title A Novel Logarithmic Approach to General Relativistic Hydrodynamics in Dynamical Spacetimes
title_full A Novel Logarithmic Approach to General Relativistic Hydrodynamics in Dynamical Spacetimes
title_fullStr A Novel Logarithmic Approach to General Relativistic Hydrodynamics in Dynamical Spacetimes
title_full_unstemmed A Novel Logarithmic Approach to General Relativistic Hydrodynamics in Dynamical Spacetimes
title_short A Novel Logarithmic Approach to General Relativistic Hydrodynamics in Dynamical Spacetimes
title_sort novel logarithmic approach to general relativistic hydrodynamics in dynamical spacetimes
topic general relativity
relativistic hydrodynamics
numerical relativity
url https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1997/11/6/194
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