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Wojciech Florkowski

Publications and source records attributed to Wojciech Florkowski.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Quantum fluctuations of energy in subsystems of a hot relativistic gas

We derive a formula that defines quantum fluctuations of energy in subsystems of a hot relativistic gas. For small subsystem sizes we find substantial increase of fluctuations compared to those known from standard thermodynamic considerations. However, if the size of the subsystem is sufficiently large, we reproduce the result for energy fluctuations in the canonical ensemble. Our results are subsequently used in the context of relativistic heavy-ion collisions to introduce limitations of the concepts such as classical energy density or fluid element. In the straightforward way, our formula can be applied in other fields of physics, wherever one deals with hot and relativistic matter.

hep-ph↗

Effect of thermal shear on longitudinal spin polarization in a thermal model

By including the recently introduced thermal shear term that contributes to the spin polarization vector at local equilibrium, we determine longitudinal polarization of $Λ$ hyperons emitted from a hot and rotating hadronic medium using the thermal model with single freeze-out. In our analysis, we consider the RHIC top energies and use the model parameters which were determined in the earlier analyses of particle spectra and elliptic flow. We confirm that, unlike the previous calculations done by using only the thermal vorticity, the thermal shear term alone leads to the correct sign of the quadrupole structure of the longitudinal component of the polarization three-vector measured in experiments. However, we find almost complete cancellation between thermal shear and vorticity terms, which eventually leads to disagreement with the data. To clarify the role played by velocity and temperature gradient terms, we present a systematic analysis of different contributions to the longitudinal polarization.

hep-ph↗

Pseudo-gauge dependence of quantum fluctuations of energy in a hot relativistic gas of fermions

Explicit expressions for quantum fluctuations of energy in subsystems of a hot relativistic gas of spin-$1/2$ particles are derived. The results depend on the form of the energy-momentum tensor used in the calculations, which is a feature described as pseudo-gauge dependence. However, for sufficiently large subsystems the results obtained in different pseudo-gauges converge and agree with the canonical-ensemble formula known from statistical physics. As different forms of the energy-momentum tensor of a gas are a priori equivalent, our finding suggests that the concept of quantum fluctuations of energy in very small thermodynamic systems is pseudo-gauge dependent. On the practical side, the results of our calculations determine a scale of coarse graining for which the choice of the pseudo-gauge becomes irrelevant.

nucl-th↗

Dissipative Spin Dynamics in Relativistic Matter

Using classical description of spin degrees of freedom, we extend recent formulation of the perfect-fluid hydrodynamics for spin-polarized fluids to the case including dissipation. Our work is based on the analysis of classical kinetic equations for massive particles with spin-1/2, with the collision terms treated in the relaxation time approximation. The kinetic-theory framework determines the structure of viscous and diffusive terms and allows to explicitly calculate a complete set of new kinetic coefficients that characterize dissipative spin dynamics.

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Relativistic dissipative spin dynamics in the relaxation time approximation

The concept of the Wigner function is used to construct a semi-classical kinetic theory describing the evolution of the axial-current phase-space density of spin-1/2 particles in the relaxation time approximation. The resulting approach can be used to study spin-polarization effects in relativistic matter, in particular, in heavy-ion collisions. An expression for the axial current based on the classical treatment of spin is also introduced and we show that it is consistent with earlier calculations using Wigner functions. Finally, we derive non-equilibrium corrections to the spin tensor, which are used to define, for the first time, the structure of spin transport coefficients in relativistic matter.

hep-ph↗

Relaxation time approximation with pair production and annihilation processes

We extend the Boltzmann equation in the relaxation time approximation to explicitly include transitions between particles forming an interacting mixture. Using the detailed balance condition as well as conditions of energy-momentum and current conservation, we show that only two independent relaxation time scales are allowed in such an interacting system. Dissipative hydrodynamic equations and the form of transport coefficients is subsequently derived for this case. We find that the shear and bulk viscosity coefficients, as well as the baryon charge conductivity are independent of the transition time scale. However, the bulk viscosity and conductivity coefficients that can be attributed to the individual components of the mixture depend on the transition time.

hep-ph↗

Correspondence between Israel-Stewart and first-order causal and stable hydrodynamics for Bjorken-expanding baryon-rich systems with vanishing particle masses

We obtain an exact correspondence between the dynamical equations in Israel-Stewart (IS) theory and first-order causal and stable (FOCS) hydrodynamics for a boost-invariant system with an ideal gas equation of state at finite baryon chemical potential. Explicit expressions for the temperature and chemical potential dependence of the regulators in the FOCS theory are given in terms of the kinetic coefficients and constant relaxation time of the IS theory. Using the correspondence between the IS and FOCS theory, stability conditions for a charged fluid which are known in the FOCS approach are applied and one finds that the IS theory considered is unstable.

nucl-th↗

Particle polarization, spin tensor and the Wigner distribution in relativistic systems

Particle spin polarization is known to be linked both to rotation (angular momentum) and magnetization of a many particle system. However, in the most common formulation of relativistic kinetic theory, the spin degrees of freedom appear only as degeneracy factors multiplying phase-space distributions. Thus, it is important to develop theoretical tools that allow to make predictions regarding the spin polarization of particles, which can be directly confronted with experimental data. Herein, we discuss a link between the relativistic spin tensor and particle spin polarization, and elucidate the connections between the Wigner function and average polarization. Our results may be useful for theoretical interpretation of heavy-ion data on spin polarization of the produced hadrons.

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Correspondence between Israel-Stewart and first-order casual and stable hydrodynamics for the boost-invariant massive case with zero baryon density

Exact correspondence between Israel-Stewart theory and first-order causal and stable hydrodynamics is established for the boost-invariant massive case with zero baryon density and the same constant relaxation times used in the shear and bulk sectors. Explicit expressions for the temperature dependent regulators are given for the case of a relativistic massive gas. The stability and causality conditions known in the first-order approach are applied and one finds that one of them is violated in this case.

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Equivalence between first-order causal and stable hydrodynamics and Israel-Stewart theory for boost-invariant systems with a constant relaxation time

We show that the recently formulated causal and stable first-order hydrodynamics has the same dynamics as Israel-Stewart theory for boost-invariant, Bjorken expanding systems with a conformal equation of state and a regulating sector determined by a constant relaxation time. In this case, the general solution of the new first-order formulation can be determined analytically.

nucl-th↗

Hydrodynamics of massive particles with spin 1/2

The formulation of relativistic hydrodynamics for massive particles with spin 1/2 is shortly reviewed. The proposed framework is based on the Wigner function treated in a semi-classical approximation or, alternatively, on a classical treatment of spin 1/2. Several theoretical issues regarding the choice of the energy-momentum and spin tensors used to construct the hydrodynamic framework with spin are discussed in parallel.

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Spin chemical potential for relativistic particles with spin 1/2

We analyze algebraic structure of a relativistic semi-classical Wigner function of particles with spin 1/2 and show that it consistently includes information about the spin density matrix both in two-dimensional spin and four-dimensional spinor spaces. This result is subsequently used to explore various forms of equilibrium functions that differ by specific incorporation of spin chemical potential. We argue that a scalar spin chemical potential should be momentum dependent, while its tensor form may be a function of space-time coordinates only. This allows for the use of the tensor form in local thermodynamic relations. We furthermore show how scalar and tensor forms can be linked to each other.

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Relativistic hydrodynamics for spin-polarized fluids

Recent progress in the formulation of relativistic hydrodynamics for particles with spin one-half is reviewed. We start with general arguments advising introduction of a tensor spin chemical potential that plays a role of the Lagrange multiplier coupled to the spin angular momentum. Then, we turn to a discussion of spin-dependent distribution functions that have been recently proposed to construct a hydrodynamic framework including spin and serve as a tool in phenomenological studies of hadron polarization. Distribution functions of this type are subsequently used to construct the equilibrium Wigner functions that are employed in the semi-classical kinetic equation. The semi-classical expansion elucidates several aspects of the hydrodynamic approach, in particular, shows the ways in which different possible versions of hydrodynamics with spin can be connected by pseudo-gauge transformations. These results point out at using the de~Groot - van~Leeuwen - van~Weert versions of the energy-momentum and spin tensors as the most natural and complete physical variables. Finally, a totally new method is proposed to design hydrodynamics with spin, which is based on the classical treatment of spin degrees of freedom. Interestingly, for small values of the spin chemical potential the new scheme brings the results that coincide with those obtained before. The classical approach also helps us to resolve problems connected with the normalization of the spin polarization three-vector. In addition, it clarifies the role of the Pauli-Lubanski vector and the entropy current conservation. We close our review with several general comments presenting possible future developments of the discussed frameworks.

nucl-th↗

Longitudinal spin polarization in a thermal model

We use a thermal model with single freeze-out to determine longitudinal polarization of $Λ$ hyperons emitted from a hot and rotating hadronic medium. We consider the top RHIC energies and use the model parameters determined in the previous analyses of particle spectra and elliptic flow. Using a direct connection between the spin polarization tensor and thermal vorticity, we reproduce earlier results which indicate a quadrupole structure of the longitudinal component of the polarization three-vector with an opposite sign compared to that found in the experiment. We further use only the spatial components of the thermal vorticity in the laboratory system to define polarization and show that this leads to the correct sign and magnitude of the quadrupole structure. This procedure resembles a non-relativistic connection between the polarization three-vector and vorticity employed in other works. In general, our results bring further evidence that the spin polarization dynamics in heavy-ion collisions may be not directly related to the thermal vorticity. The additional material explains the construction of the hydrodynamicaly consistent gradients of fluid velocity and temperature in thermal models with the help of the perfect-fluid equations of motion.

nucl-th↗

Spin polarization evolution in a boost invariant hydrodynamical background

Relativistic hydrodynamic equations for particles with spin one-half are used to determine the space-time evolution of the spin polarization in a boost-invariant and transversely homogeneous background. The hydrodynamic approach uses the forms of the energy-momentum and spin tensors based on de Groot, van Leeuwen, and van Weert formalism. Our calculations illustrate how the formalism of hydrodynamics with spin can be used to determine physical observables related to the spin polarization and how the latter can be compared with the experimental data.

hep-ph↗

Relativistic fluid dynamics of spin-polarized systems of particles

We review basic ingredients of the recently introduced perfect-fluid hydrodynamic equations for particles with spin one-half. For a quasi-realistic setup, first numerical solutions for various hydrodynamic variables including the spin polarization tensor are presented. Our results indicate that the initial spin polarization of the hottest region may play a dominant role in the polarization of particles at freeze-out.

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Dynamics of relativistic spin-polarized fluids

We briefly review the foundations of a new relativistic fluid dynamics framework for polarized systems of particles with spin one half. Using this approach we numerically study the dynamics of the spin polarization of a rotating medium resembling the ones created in high-energy heavy-ion collisions.

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