Unified Extended Irreversible Thermodynamics and the Stability of Relativistic Theories for Dissipation

In a relativistic context, the main purpose of Extended Irreversible Thermodynamics (EIT) is to generalize the principles of non-equilibrium thermodynamics to the domain of fluid dynamics. In particular, the theory aims at modeling any diffusion-type process (like heat as diffusion of energy, viscosity as diffusion of momentum, charge-conductivity as diffusion of particles) directly from thermodynamic laws. Although in Newtonian physics this task can be achieved with a first-order approach to dissipation (i.e. Navier–Stokes–Fourier like equations), in a relativistic framework the relativity of simultaneity poses serious challenges to the first-order methodology, originating instabilities which are, instead, naturally eliminated within EIT. The first part of this work is dedicated to reviewing the most recent progress made in understanding the mathematical origin of this instability problem. In the second part, we present the formalism that arises by promoting non-equilibrium thermodynamics to a classical effective field theory. We call this approach Unified Extended Irreversible Thermodynamics (UEIT), because it contains, as particular cases, EIT itself, in particular the Israel-Stewart theory and the divergence-type theories, plus Carter’s approach and most branches of non-equilibrium thermodynamics, such as relativistic chemistry and radiation hydrodynamics. We use this formalism to explain why all these theories are stable by construction (provided that the microscopic input is correct), showing that their (Lyapunov) stability is a direct consequence of the second law of thermodynamics.

Review of Extended Irreversible Thermodynamics

In non-equilibrium thermodynamics, Extended irreversible thermodynamics (EIT), together with classical irreversible thermodynamics (CIT) and rational thermodynamics (RT) has been among the mainstream ofresearch. Critical analysis of EIT has been discussed in this paper.

On extended thermodynamics: From classical to the relativistic regime

The recent monumental detection of gravitational waves by LIGO, the subsequent detection by the LIGO/VIRGO observatories of a binary neutron star merger seen in the gravitational wave signal [Formula: see text], the first photo of the event horizon of the supermassive black hole at the center of Andromeda galaxy released by the EHT telescope and the ongoing experiments on Relativistic Heavy Ion Collisions at the BNL and at the CERN, demonstrate that we are witnessing the second golden era of observational relativistic gravity. These new observational breakthroughs, although in the long run would influence our views regarding this Kosmos, in the short run, they suggest that relativistic dissipative fluids (or magnetofluids) and relativistic continuous media play an important role in astrophysical-and also subnuclear-scales. This realization brings into the frontiers of current research theories of irreversible thermodynamics of relativistic continuous media. Motivated by these considerations, we summarize the progress that has been made in the last few decades in the field of nonequilibrium thermodynamics of relativistic continuous media. For coherence and completeness purposes, we begin with a brief description of the balance laws for classical (Newtonian) continuous media and introduce the classical irreversible thermodynamics (CIT) and point out the role of the local-equilibrium postulate within this theory. Tangentially, we touch the program of rational thermodynamics (RT), the Clausius–Duhem inequality, the theory of constitutive relations and the emergence of the entropy principle in the description of continuous media. We discuss at some length, theories of non equilibrium thermodynamics that sprang out of a fundamental paper written by Müller in 1967, with emphasis on the principles of extended irreversible thermodynamics (EIT) and the rational extended irreversible thermodynamics (REIT). Subsequently, after a brief introduction to the equilibrium thermodynamics of relativistic fluids, we discuss the Israel–Stewart transient (or causal) thermodynamics and its main features. Moreover, we introduce the Liu–Müller–Ruggeri theory describing relativistic fluids. We analyze the structure and compare this theory to the class of dissipative relativistic fluid theories of divergent type developed in the late 1990 by Pennisi, Geroch and Lindblom. As far as theories of nonequilibrium thermodynamics of classical media are concerned, it is fair to state that substantial progress has been made and many predictions of the extended theories have been placed under experimental scrutiny. However, at the relativistic level, the situation is different. Although the efforts aiming to the development of a sensible theory (or theories) of nonequilibrium thermodynamics of relativistic fluids (or continuous media) spans less than a half-century, and even though enormous steps in the right direction have been taken, nevertheless as we shall see in this review, still a successful theory of relativistic dissipation is lacking.

Relationships between rational extended thermodynamics and extended irreversible thermodynamics

We consider a few conceptual questions on extended thermodynamics, with the aim to contribute to a higher contact between rational extended thermodynamics and extended irreversible thermodynamics. Both theories take a number of fluxes as independent variables, but they differ in the formalism being used to deal with the exploitation of the second principle (rational thermodynamics in the first one and classical irreversible thermodynamics in the second one). Rational extended thermodynamics is more restricted in the range of systems to be analysed, but it is able to obtain a wider number of restrictions and deeper specifications from the second law. By contrast, extended irreversible thermodynamics is more phenomenological, its mathematical formalism is more elementary, but it may deal with a wider diversity of systems although with less detail. Further comparison and dialogue between both branches of extended thermodynamics would be useful for a fuller deployment and deepening of extended thermodynamics. Besides these two approaches, one should also consider the Hamiltonian approach, formalisms with internal variables, and more microscopic approaches, based on kinetic theory or on non-equilibrium ensemble formalisms. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Fundamental aspects of nonequilibrium thermodynamics’.

Differential consequences of balance laws in extended irreversible thermodynamics of rigid heat conductors

We consider a system of balance laws arising in extended irreversible thermodynamics of rigid heat conductors, together with its differential conse- quences, namely the higher-order system obtained by taking into account the time and space derivatives of the original system. We point out some mathematical properties of the differential consequences, with particular attention to the problem of the propagation of thermal perturbations with finite speed. We prove that, under an opportune choice of the initial conditions, a solution of the Cauchy problem for the system of differential consequences is also a solution of the Cauchy problem for the original system. We investigate the thermodynamic compatibility of the system at hand by applying a generalized Coleman–Noll procedure. On the example of a generalized Guyer–Krumhansl heat-transport model, we show that it is possible to get a hyperbolic system of evolution equations even when the state space is non-local.

Extended Irreversible Thermodynamics Versus Second Law Analysis of High-Order Dual-Phase-Lag Heat Transfer

This study introduces an analysis of high-order dual-phase-lag (DPL) heat transfer equation and its thermodynamic consistency. The frameworks of extended irreversible thermodynamics (EIT) and traditional second law are employed to investigate the compatibility of DPL model by evaluating the entropy production rates (EPR). Applying an analytical approach showed that both the first- and second-order approximations of the DPL model are compatible with the traditional second law of thermodynamics under certain circumstances. If the heat flux is the cause of temperature gradient in the medium (over diffused or flux precedence (FP) heat flow), the DPL model is compatible with the traditional second law without any constraints. Otherwise, when the temperature gradient is the cause of heat flux (gradient precedence (GP) heat flow), the conditions of stable solution of the DPL heat transfer equation should be considered to obtain compatible solution with the local equilibrium thermodynamics. Finally, an insight inspection has been presented to declare precisely the influence of high-order terms on the EPRs.