A new exact solution of the relativistic Boltzmann equation and its hydrodynamic limit

Gabriel S. Denicol, Ulrich W. Heinz, Mauricio Martinez, Jorge Noronha, Michael Strickland

Published 2014-08-25Version 1

We present an exact solution of the relativistic Boltzmann equation for a system undergoing boost-invariant longitudinal and azimuthally symmetric transverse flow ("Gubser flow"). The resulting exact non-equilibrium dynamics is compared to 1st- and 2nd-order relativistic hydrodynamic approximations for various shear viscosity to entropy density ratios. This novel solution can be used to test the validity and accuracy of different hydrodynamic approximations in conditions similar to those generated in relativistic heavy-ion collisions.