The shrinking domain framework I: a new, faster, more efficient approach
  to cosmological simulations
  The advent of the new generation of wide field galaxy surveys makes large
N-body cosmological simulations a necessary evil. While the cosmological
simulation codes have evolved a lot since the first calculations in the 80s,
the computational requirements for generating data that is relevant for large
surveys remain challenging. We propose an alternative approach that can speed
up these simulations. The framework is based on the idea of reducing the size
of the integration region following the lightcone of an observer at redshift
zero and thus simulating only the parts of the Universe that can be observed. A
possible implementation of this framework is presented, as well as tests of its
accuracy and performance. These simple tests, based on conservative
assumptions, show that the new framework gives a factor of three speed up with
respect to the usual approach.
