For binary black holes the lapse function corresponding to the Brill-Lindquist initial value solution for uncharged black holes is given in analytic form under the maximal slicing condition. In the limiting case of a very small ratio of mass to separation between the black holes, the surface defined by the zero value of the lapse function coincides with the minimal surfaces around the singularities.

• Received 11 February 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.65.127501