Numerical integration of nonlinear wave equations for general relativity

A second-order numerical implementation is given for recently derived nonlinear wave equations for general relativity. The Gowdy $T^3$ cosmology is used as a test bed for studying the accuracy and convergence of simulations of one dimensional nonlinear waves. The complete freedom in space-time slicing in the present formalism is exploited to compute in the Gowdy line element. Second-order convergence is found by direct comparison of the results with either analytical solutions for polarized waves, or solutions obtained from Gowdy’s reduced wave equations for the more general unpolarized waves. Some directions for extensions are discussed.