On non-conformal kinetic theory and hydrodynamics for Bjorken flow

Understand

Using and comparing kinetic theory and second-order Chapman-Enskog hydrodynamics, we study the non-conformal dynamics of a system undergoing Bjorken expansion.

• We use the concept of `free-streaming fixed lines' for scaled shear and bulk stresses in non-conformal kinetic theory and hydrodynamics, and show that these `fixed lines' behave as early-time attractors and repellors of the evolution.
• In the conformal limit, the free-streaming fixed lines reduce to the well-known fixed points of conformal Bjorken dynamics.
• A new fixed point in the free streaming regime is identified which lies at the intersection of these fixed lines.