NBIA Gravity Seminar: Harald Pfeiffer

Speaker: Professor Harald Pfeiffer, Group-leader, Max-Planck-Institute for Gravitational Physics, University of Potsdam

Title: Frontiers in numerical relativity: Binary black holes with eccentricity and at high mass-ratios

Abstract: 
Binary black hole simulations are essential to analyse gravitational wave signals and to deepen our understanding of the behavior of Einstein's theory of general relativity in strongly nonlinear and dynamic situations. After a brief survey of the past impact of NR on gravitational wave astronomy, this talk will focus on recent progress in two frontiers of numerical relativity: 
First, binaries with eccentricity, including the case of unbound scattering encounters. And second, the quest to cover the full mass-ratio range from comparable masses to extreme mass-ratios.