Robust evolution system for numerical relativity - art. no. 104014

The paper combines theoretical and applied ideas which have been previously considered separately into a single set of evolution equations for numeric al relativity. New numerical ingredients are presented which avoid gauge pa thologies and allow one to perform robust three-dimensional calculations. T he potential of the resulting numerical code is demonstrated by using black hole space-times as a test bed. The evolution of a Schwarzschild black hol e can be followed up to times greater than one hundred black hole masses. A distorted black hole is also modeled from the Misner double black hole ini tial data, the two holes being surrounded by a single horizon. [S0556-2821( 99)09718-0].