Numerical relativity for Horndeski gravity

Abstract

In this paper, we present an overview of recent developments in the numerical solution of Horndeski gravity theories, which are the class of all scalar–tensor theories of gravity that have second-order equations of motion. We review several methods that have been used to establish well-posed initial value problems for these theories, and discuss well-posed formulations of the constraint equations. We also discuss global aspects of exact, strongly coupled solutions to some of the Horndeski gravity theories: the formation of shocks, the loss of hyperbolicity, and the formation of naked curvature singularities. Finally, we discuss numerical solutions to binary black hole and neutron star systems for several Horndeski theories.

Topics & Concepts