Bona-Masso slices of Reissner-Nordstrom spacetimes

Motivated by recent numerical relativity simulations of charged black holes and their interactions, we explore the properties of common slicing conditions in Reissner-Nordstrom spacetimes. Specifically, we consider different choices for the so-called Bona-Masso function and construct static and spherically symmetric slices of the Reissner-Nordstrom spacetime satisfying the corresponding slicing conditions. For some of these functions the construction is entirely analytical, while for others we use numerical root-finding to solve quartic equations. Our solutions are parametrized by the charge-to-mass ratio lambda = Q/M and approach a unique slice, independent of the Bona-Masso functions considered here, in the extremal limit lambda -> 1.

Automated summary

Motivated by recent numerical relativity simulations, this study explores the properties of common slicing conditions in Reissner-Nordstrom spacetimes and constructs static and spherically symmetric slices. The solutions parametrized by the charge-to-mass ratio approach a unique slice in the extremal limit.