Applying the Gibbs stability criterion to relativistic hydrodynamics

Abstract

The stability of the equilibrium state is one of the crucial tests a hydrodynamic theory needs to pass. A widespread technique to study this property consists of searching for a Lyapunov function of the linearised theory, in the form of a quadratic energy-like functional. For relativistic fluids, the explicit expression of such a functional is often found by guessing and lacks a clear physical interpretation. We present a quick, rigorous and systematic technique for constructing the functional of a generic relativistic fluid theory, based on the maximum entropy principle. The method gives the expected result in those cases in which the functional was already known. For the method to be applicable, there must be an entropy current with non-negative four-divergence. This result is an important step towards a definitive resolution of the major open problems connected with relativistic dissipation.