Finding apparent horizons in numerical relativity

This paper presents a detailed discussion of the ``Newton's method'' algorithm for finding apparent horizons in 3+1 numerical relativity. We describe a method for computing the Jacobian matrix of the finite differenced H(h) function \H(\h) by symbolically differentiating the finite difference equations, giving the Jacobian elements directly in terms of the finite difference molecule coefficients used in computing \H(\h). Assuming the finite differencing scheme commutes with linearization, we show how the Jacobian elements may be computed by first linearizing the continuum H(h) equations, then finite differencing the linearized (continuum) equations. We find this symbolic differentiation method of computing the \H(\h) Jacobian to be {\em much\/} more efficient than the usual numerical-perturbation method, and also much easier to implement than is commonly thought. When solving the (discrete) \H(\h) = 0 equations, we find that Newton's method generally converges very rapidly, although there are difficulties when the initial guess contains high-spatial-frequency errors. Using 4th~order finite differencing, we find typical accuracies for the horizon position in the 10^{-5} range for \Delta \theta = \frac{\pi/2}{50}

Solution of Nonlinear Systems

The problem of solving systems of nonlinear equations has been relatively neglected in the mathematical literature, especially in the textbooks, in comparison to the corresponding linear problem. Moreover, treatments that have an appearance of generality fail to discuss the nature of the solutions and the possible pitfalls of the methods suggested. Probably it is unrealistic to expect that a unified and comprehensive treatment of the subject will evolve, owing to the great variety of situations possible, especially in the applied field where some requirement of human or mechanical efficiency is always present. Therefore we attempt here simply to pose the problem and to describe and partially appraise the methods of solution currently in favor