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Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics of Spacetime

Christopher Eling·Raf Guedens·Ted Jacobson
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Abstract

It has previously been shown that the Einstein equation can be derived from the requirement that the Clausius relation dS = dQ/T hold for all local acceleration horizons through each spacetime point, where dS is one quarter the horizon area change in Planck units, and dQ and T are the energy flux across the horizon and Unruh temperature seen by an accelerating observer just inside the horizon. Here we show that a curvature correction to the entropy that is polynomial in the Ricci scalar requires a non-equilibrium treatment. The corresponding field equation is derived from the entropy balance relation dS =dQ/T+dS_i, where dS_i is a bulk viscosity entropy production term that we determine by imposing energy-momentum conservation. Entropy production can also be included in pure Einstein theory by allowing for shear viscosity of the horizon.

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Christopher Eling, Raf Guedens, Ted Jacobson. 2006-02-01. Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics of Spacetime. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.96.121301

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