Abstract

Binary black hole initial data

Harald Pfeiffer
California Institute of Technology

Initial data forms the starting point of any evolution. For simulations of binary black hole coalescence, the initial data should resemble as closely as possible a snapshot of a "true" inspiraling binary black hole. The quasi-equilibrium method combined with inner boundary conditions based on isolated horizons, provides a promising approach toward astrophysical initial data. In this talk, I describe this method and present numerical results. Furthermore, I report recent results about non-unique solutions of the Einstein constraint equations.