On the existence of C ∞ solutions to the asymptotic characteristic initial value problem in general relativity

This is the second of a sequence of papers on the numerical solution of the characteristic initial value problem in general relativity. Although the equations to be integrated have regular coefficients, the nonlinearity leads to the occurrence of singularities after a finite evolution time. In this paper we first discuss some novel techniques for integrating the equations right up to the singularities. The second half of the paper presents as examples the numerical evolution of the Schwarzschild and certain colliding plane wave space‒times.


An initial value problem for an axisymmetric perfect fluid in general relativity is considered by specifying data on an initial null hypersurface. The approach is an adaptation of the techniques introduced by Bondi, van der Burg & Metzner (1962) for dealing with asymptotically flat, empty space-time. A solution to the problem is shown to exist provided that the metric and physical variables are expanded in positive powers of a radial parameter and certain restrictive conditions at the origin are satisfied.


The regular characteristic initial value problem for Einstein’s vacuum field equations where data are given on two intersecting null hypersurfaces is reduced to a characteristic initial value problem for a symmetric hyperbolic system of differential equations. This is achieved by making use of the spin-frame formalism instead of the harmonic gauge condition. The method is applied to the asymptotic characteristic initial value problem for Einstein’s vacuum field equations, where data are given on part of past null infinity and on an incoming null-hypersurface. A uniqueness theorem for this problem is proved by showing that a solution of the problem must satisfy a regular symmetric hyperbolic system of differential equations in a neighbourhood of past null infinity.


This paper proves the existence of analytic solutions of the asymptotic characteristic initial value problem for Einstein’s field equations for analytic data on past null infinity and on an incoming null hypersurface.


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