Grazing collisions of black holes via the excision of singularities.
We present the first simulations of non-head-on (grazing) collisions of binary black holes in which the singularities are excised from the simulation. Initially equal mass m black holes (spinning or not) are separated by approximately 10m and with impact parameter approximately 2m. Evolutions to t approximately 35m are obtained where two separate horizons are present for t approximately 3.8m; then a single enveloping horizon forms indicating that the holes merged. Apparent horizon area estimates suggest gravitational radiation of about 2%-3% of the total mass. The evolutions end after a moderate amount of time because of instabilities.
Brandt
S
S
Center for Gravitational Physics and Geometry, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
Correll
R
R
Gómez
R
R
Huq
M
M
Laguna
P
P
Lehner
L
L
Marronetti
P
P
Matzner
R A
RA
Neilsen
D
D
Pullin
J
J
Schnetter
E
E
Shoemaker
D
D
Winicour
J
J