Thermalization and hydrodynamics of two-dimensional quantum field theories
Luca V. Delacretaz, A. Liam Fitzpatrick, Emanuel Katz, Matthew T. Walters
Abstract
We consider 2d QFTs as relevant deformations of CFTs in the thermodynamic limit. Using causality and KPZ universality, we place a lower bound on the timescale characterizing the onset of hydrodynamics. The bound is determined parametrically in terms of the temperature and the scale associated with the relevant deformation. This bound is typically much stronger than $\frac{1}{T}$, the expected quantum equilibration time. Subluminality of sound further allows us to define a thermodynamic $C$-function, and constrain the sign of the $\mathcal T\bar{\mathcal T}$ term in EFTs.
Topics & Concepts
ThermalisationPhysicsUniversality (dynamical systems)QuantumCausality (physics)Upper and lower boundsScalingQuantum field theoryMathematical physicsFunction (biology)Quantum mechanicsMathematicsGeometryMathematical analysisEvolutionary biologyBiologyBlack Holes and Theoretical PhysicsCosmology and Gravitation TheoriesHigh-Energy Particle Collisions Research