Analytical attractor for Bjorken expansion

Abstract

We present an analytic solution of a simple set of equations that govern the expansion of boost-invariant plasmas of massless particles. These equations describe, approximately, the early time, collisionless regime, and the transition to hydrodynamics at late time. Their mathematical structure encompasses all versions of second order hydrodynamics when applied to Bjorken flows. The analytic solution provides an explicit expression for the attractor solution that connects the collisionless regime to hydrodynamics. It also constitutes a neat example of an application of the theory of resurgence in asymptotic series.

Comments: Updates with new discussion on transasymptotic matching. Version accepted for publication in PLB