On the Local Equilibrium Principle

Abstract

A physical system should be in a local equilibrium if it cannot be distinguished from a global equilibrium by ``infinitesimally localized measurements''. This seems to be a natural characterization of local equilibrium, however the problem is to give a precise meaning to the qualitative phrase ``infinitesimally localized measurements''. A solution is suggested in form of a {\em Local Equilibrium Condition} (LEC) which can be applied to non-interacting quanta. The Unruh temperature of massless quanta is derived by applying LEC to an arbitrary point inside the Rindler Wedge. Massless quanta outside a hot sphere are analyzed. A stationary spherically symmetric local equilibrium does only exist according to LEC if the temperature is globally constant. Using LEC a non-trivial stationary local equilibrium is found for rotating massless quanta between two concentric cylinders of different temperatures. This shows that quanta may behave like a fluid with a B\'enard instability.