Asymptotically null slices in numerical relativity: mathematical analysis and spherical wave equation tests

We investigate the use of asymptotically null slices combined with stretching or compactification of the radial coordinate for the numerical simulation of asymptotically flat spacetimes. We consider a 1-parameter family of coordinates characterised by the asymptotic relation $r\sim R^{1-n}$ between the physical radius $R$ and coordinate radius $r$, and the asymptotic relation $K\sim R^{n/2-1}$ for the extrinsic curvature of the slices. These slices are asymptotically null in the sense that their Lorentz factor relative to stationary observers diverges as $\Gamma\sim R^{n/2}$. While $1<n\le 2$ slices intersect $\scri$, $0< n\le 1$ slices end at $i^0$. We carry out numerical tests with the spherical wave equation on Minkowski and Schwarzschild spacetime. Simulations using our coordinates with $0<n\le 2$ achieve higher accuracy at lower computational cost in following outgoing waves to very large radius than using standard $n=0$ slices without compactification. Power-law tails in Schwarzschild are also correctly represented.