Title: Relativistic Fluid Dynamics Far From Local Equilibrium

Abstract

Fluid dynamics is traditionally thought to apply only to systems near local equilibrium. In this case, the effective theory of fluid dynamics can be constructed as a gradient series. Recent applications of resurgence suggest that this gradient series diverges, but can be Borel resummed, giving rise to a hydrodynamic attractor solution which is well defined even for large gradients. As a result, arbitrary initial data quickly approaches this attractor via nonhydrodynamic mode decay. This suggests the existence of a new theory of far-from-equilibrium fluid dynamics. In this Letter, the framework of fluid dynamics far from local equilibrium for a conformal system is introduced, and the hydrodynamic attractor solutions for resummed Baier-Romatschke-Son-Starinets-Stephanov theory, kinetic theory in the relaxation time approximation, and strongly coupled N = 4 super Yang-Mills theory are identified for a system undergoing Bjorken flow.

Authors:

Romatschke, Paul

Publication Date:

2018-01-05

Research Org.:

Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1415876

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1498985

Grant/Contract Number:  

SC0008132

Resource Type:

Published Article

Journal Name:

Physical Review Letters

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Volume: 120 Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 0031-9007

Publisher:

American Physical Society (APS)

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS