Gauge/frame invariant variables for the numerical relativity study of cosmological spacetimes

Abstract

To numerically evolve the full Einstein equations (or modifications thereof), simulations of cosmological spacetimes must rely on a particular formulation of the field equations combined with a specific gauge/frame choice. Yet truly physical results cannot depend on the given formulation or gauge/frame choice. In this paper, we present a resolution of the gauge problem and, as an example, numerically implement it to evaluate our previous work on contracting spacetimes.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figure