Finite Element, Discontinuous Galerkin, and Finite Difference Evolution Schemes in Spacetime

Abstract

Numerical schemes for Einstein's vacuum equation are developed. Einstein's equation in harmonic gauge is second order symmetric hyperbolic. It is discretized in four-dimensional spacetime by Finite Differences, Finite Elements, and Interior Penalty Discontinuous Galerkin methods, the latter related to Regge calculus. The schemes are split into space and time and new time-stepping schemes for wave equations are derived. The methods are evaluated for linear and non-linear test problems of the Apples-with-Apples collection.