Documentation

Comprehensive guides and reference materials for the iTensor platform

Project Overview

iTensor is a comprehensive platform designed for advanced tensor calculus, magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), and differential operators in curved spacetime. It provides tools for both symbolic and numerical computations, enabling engineers and scientists to explore phenomena such as gravitational lensing, time dilation, accretion disk dynamics, and particle trajectory simulations.

The platform is highly customizable and modular, facilitating both educational use and research-grade simulations. Its unified interface allows users to manipulate tensors for applications in mathematics, physics, and engineering.

Symbolic Tensor Calculus

Leveraging SymPy, iTensor can handle algebraic tensor expressions symbolically. This means users can define tensors with symbolic components (e.g., symbols like a, b) and perform operations such as addition, multiplication, contraction, etc., obtaining results in closed-form. This is particularly useful for deriving equations related to black hole physics and general relativity.

Numerical Tensor Calculus

Using NumPy, SciPy, and optionally C/C++ extensions for high-performance computations, iTensor can perform numerical operations on tensors with real or complex data. This capability enables precise simulations of physical phenomena around black holes, including accretion disk dynamics, particle trajectories, and gravitational effects on spacetime.

Black Hole Visualization Platform

The core of iTensor now includes a powerful visualization platform for black hole physics. This platform combines advanced tensor mathematics with interactive visualizations to help users understand complex phenomena in curved spacetime. The platform supports:

  • Rendering of black hole event horizons and ergospheres
  • Simulation of particle trajectories near black holes
  • Calculation and visualization of gravitational lensing effects
  • Interactive exploration of different black hole metrics (Schwarzschild, Kerr, etc.)
  • Customizable parameters for mass, spin, and observer position