Motion4D – A library for lightrays and timelike worldlines in the theory of relativity

Abstract

The Motion4D-library solves the geodesic equation as well as the parallel- and Fermi–Walker-transport in four-dimensional Lorentzian spacetimes numerically. Initial conditions are given with respect to natural local tetrads which are adapted to the symmetries or the coordinates of the spacetime. Beside some already implemented metrics like the Schwarzschild and Kerr metric, the object oriented structure of the library permits to implement other metrics or integrators in a straight forward manner. Program summaryProgram title: Motion4D-libraryCatalogue identifier: AEEX_v1_0Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEEX_v1_0.htmlProgram obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. IrelandLicensing provisions: Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.htmlNo. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 150 425No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 5 139 407Distribution format: tar.gzProgramming language: C++Computer: All platforms with a C++ compilerOperating system: Linux, Unix, WindowsRAM: 39 MBytesClassification: 1.5External routines: Gnu Scientific Library (GSL) (http://www.gnu.org/software/gsl/)Nature of problem: Solve geodesic equation, parallel and Fermi–Walker transport in four-dimensional Lorentzian spacetimes.Solution method: Integration of ordinary differential equationsRunning time: The test runs provided with the distribution require only a few seconds to run.