Bjorken Flow Revisited: Analytic and Numerical Solutions in Flat Space-Time Coordinates

In this work we provide analytic and numerical solutions for the Bjorken flow, a standard benchmark in relativistic hydrodynamics providing a simple model for the bulk evolution of matter created in collisions between heavy nuclei. We consider relativistic gases of both massive and massless particles, working in a (2+1) and (3+1) Minkowski space-time coordinate system. The numerical results from a recently developed lattice kinetic scheme show excellent agreement with the analytic solutions.

Automated summary

In this work, we provide both analytic and numerical solutions for the Bjorken flow, which is a standard benchmark in relativistic hydrodynamics. It offers a simple model for the macroscopic evolution of matter produced in heavy nucleus collisions. We consider relativistic gases with both massive and massless particles, working in a (2+1) and (3+1) Minkowski spacetime coordinate system. The numerical results obtained from a newly developed lattice kinetic scheme show excellent agreement with the analytic solutions.