Courses:

• Numerical relativity: Harald Pfeiffer (Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics)
• Numerical hydrodynamics: Ian Hawke (University of Southampton)
• Physics & astrophysics of gamma-ray bursts: Frédéric Daigne (Institute of Astrophysics Paris)
• ​Physics & astrophysics of kilonovae: Masaomi Tanaka (Tohoku University)

Schedule:

Course content:

Numerical relativity (Harald Pfeiffer)

• Formalism:  3+1 decomposition,  solving constraints, formulations of evolution equations.
• Numerical implementation:  finite-differences, spectral methods, discontinuous Galerkin.
• Survey of BBH results. 

References: 

• Thomas W. Baumgarte, Stuart L. Shapiro, Numerical Relativity: Solving Einstein's Equations on the Computer (Cambridge, 2010). 
• Eric Gourgoulhon, 3+1 Formalism and Bases of Numerical Relativity. 
• Luis Lehner and Frans Pretorius, Numerical Relativity and Astrophysics, Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics, 52:661-694 (2014).  [Preparatory reading]
• Bernd Brügmann, Fundamentals of numerical relativity for gravitational wave sources, Science. 361, 6400, 366-371 (2018). [Preparatory reading]
• Jan S. Hesthaven, Tim Warburton,  Nodal Discontinuous Galerkin Methods, Algorithms, Analysis, and Applications (Springer 2008)

Tutorials:

• Exercises.  

Numerical hydrodynamics (Ian Hawke)

• Modelling assumptions for BNS merger simulations. 
• Conservation laws, shocks, equations of motion. 
• Finite volume methods. 
• MHD and methods. 
• Quick introduction to discontinuous Galerkin method, radiation, non-ideal MHD. 

References: 

• Font, J.A. Numerical Hydrodynamics and Magnetohydrodynamics in General Relativity,  Living Rev. Relativ. 11, 7 (2008). [Preparatory reading] 
• Open Astrophysics Bookshelf
• The Einstein Toolkit
• NRpy+
• Leveque, Finite Volume Methods for Hyperbolic Problems, (Cambridge, 2002)
• Hesthaven, Numerical Methods for Conserva on Laws: From Analysis to Algorithms, (SIAM, 20`8). 
• Rezzolla & Zanotti, Relativistic Hydrodynamics (Oxford, 2013)
• Andersson, Gravitational Wave Astronomy (Oxford, 2019). 
• Shibata, M., Taniguchi, K., Coalescence of Black Hole-Neutron Star Binaries,  Living Rev. Relativ. 14, 6 (2011). 
• Completed reading list. 

Tutorials:

• Problem set.  

Physics & astrophysics of gamma-ray bursts (Frédéric Daigne)

• Introduction: Brief review of important observational facts, Basic constraints on any GRB model: compact source + relativistic ejecta
• Theory: Progenitor - central engine - relativistic ejection (brief discussion), Modeling the prompt emission: internal dissipation in relativistic ejecta, Modeling the afterglow: interaction of relativistic ejecta with its environment, Modeling GRB population(s). 
• Focus on the short GRB - binary neutron star merger connection and GW170817

References:

• Short review: The Theory of Gamma-Ray Bursts, Daign, Daigne & Meszaros, Space Science Review, 212, 409 (2017) [Preparatory reading] 
• Detailed review: The Physics of Gamma-Ray Bursts, Piran, Rev. Mod. Phys. 76, 1143 (2004). 
• Review on central engine - relativistic ejection - jet physics with a focus on the role of magnetic fields: Gamma-Ray Bursts as a Source of Strong Magnetic Fields, Granot, Piran, Bromberg, Racusin & Daigne, Space Science Review, 191, 471 (2015). 
• Short GRBs and merger connection: Short-Duration Gamma-Ray Bursts, Berger, Annual Review of Astronomy & Astrophysics, 52, 43 (2014. 

Tutorials:

• Problem set. 

​Physics & astrophysics of kilonovae (Masaomi Tanaka)

• Brief review of relevant physics/observations: Mass ejection from NS merger, r-process nucleosynthesis, Observations of kilonova. 
• Physics of kilonova: Radioactive decays, Thermalization processes, Photon transfer, Atomic opacities

References: 

• Rosswog S., The multi-messenger picture of compact binary mergers, International Journal of Modern Physics D, 24, 1530012 (2015). [Preparatory reading] 
• Tanaka M., Kilonova/Macronova Emission from Compact Binary Mergers, Advances in Astronomy, 2016, 634197 (2016). 
• Fernandez R., Metzger B. D., Electromagnetic Signatures of Neutron Star Mergers in the Advanced LIGO Era, Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science, 66, 23 (2016). 
• Metzger, B.D. Kilonovae. Living Rev Relativ 20, 3 (2017). 

Tutorials 

• Problem set. 

Tutorial week 

Schedule 

	June 8 (Mon)	June 9 (Tue)	June 10 (Wed)	June 11 (Thu)	June 12 (Fri)
14:00 - 16:00	Hydro	GRBs	Kilonovae	NR	Extra

 

Tutors 

1. Apratim Ganguly, ICTS  (NR)

2. Surendra Padamata, ICTS (NR, Hydro) 

3. Aditya Vijaykumar, ICTS (Hydro)

4. Md Arif Shaikh, ICTS (Hydro)

5. Resmi L, IIST (GRB ) 

6. Kanhaiya Lal Pandey, ICTS (GRB)

7. Shasvath Kapadia, ICTS (Kilonovae)

8. Mukesh Kumar Singh, ICTS (Kilonovae)