This course “Computational Physics” aims to introduce numerical methods of computational physics of relevance to the research performed in the IMPRS. The course splits in two parts: The first half discusses numerical solutions of linear systems, of ordinary differential equations, and of partial differential equations. The second half of the course lays the foundations for numerical relativity.

There will be 16 lectures of 50 minutes each between May 12 and July 4, 2025. The course will be given by three lecturers from AEI Potsdam:

  • Dr. Max Corman
  • Dr. Takami Kuroda
  • Prof. Dr. Harald Pfeiffer

Lectures will take place from 11am to noon Mondays, and from 9am to 10am on Wednesdays and Fridays of each week. There are some exceptions as noted below, to avoid conflicts with other events.

All lectures can be attended in person in room 0.01 at the AEI Potsdam, or via Zoom.

When available, the lecture notes and lecture recordings can be found under “Course Materials” on the pages of the individual lectures.

There will be three problem sets and four discussion sessions with the lecturers. All students should do at least half of the problems, and are strongly encouraged to participate in the discussion sessions.

Provisional plan for lecture topics

Week 1 (May 12 – 16): 3 lectures

  • Mon, May 12, 11am-12pm (Harald Pfeiffer): Basics, Linear Algebra (part 1)
  • Wed, May 14, 9am-10am (Harald Pfeiffer): Basics, Linear Algebra (part 2)
  • Fri, May 16, 9am-10am (Takami Kuroda): ODE solvers (part 1)
    • problem set 1 handed out

Week 2 (May 19 – 23): 4 lectures

  • Mon, May 19, 11am-12pm (Takami Kuroda): ODE solvers (part 2)
  • Wed, May 21, 9am-10am (Harald Pfeiffer): PDEs and their discretization (part 1)
  • Fri May 23, 9am-11am (Harald Pfeiffer): PDEs and their discretization (part 2+3)

Week 3 (May 26 – 30): 1 lecture

  • Mon, May 26 : no lecture
  • Wed, May 28, 9am-10am (Takami Kuroda): discussion of problem set 1
  • Fri May 30: no lecture due to Brückentag
    • problem set 2 handed out

Week 4 (June 2 – June 6): 2 lectures

  • Mon, June 2 :no lecture due to AEI anniversary
  • Wed, June 4: no lecture due to AEI anniversary
  • Fri June 6, 9am-11am(Max Corman): 3+1 decomposition (part 1+2)

Week 5 (June 9 – 13): 1 lecture

  • Mon, June 9: Holiday
  • Wed, June 11: 9am-10am (Harald Pfeiffer): discussion of problem set 2
  • Fri June 13: no lecture
    • problem set 3 handed out

Week 6 (June 16 – 20): 3 lectures

  • Mon, June 16, 11am-12pm (Max Corman): GH evolution equations
  • Wed, June 18 9am-10am (Takami Kuroda): BSSN evolution equations
  • Fri June 20: 9am-10am (Harald Pfeiffer): Initial value problem

Week 7 (June 23 – 27): 3 lectures

  • Mon, June 23, 11am-12pm (Max Corman): discussion of problem set 3
  • Wed, June 25, 9am-10am (Harald Pfeiffer): Apparent Horizons & Spin
  • Fri June 27: 9am-10am (Max Corman): overview BBH results

Week 8 (June 30 – July 4): 3 lectures

  • Mon, June 30, 11am-12pm (Takami Kuroda): Hydrodynamics (part 1)
  • Wed, July 2, 9am-10am (Takami Kuroda): Hydrodynamics (part 2)
  • Fri July 4: 9am-10am (Harald Pfeiffer): discussion of problem set 4