Shear viscosity in weakly coupled N-component scalar field theories
Journal
Physical Review D - Particles, Fields, Gravitation and Cosmology
Journal Volume
83
Journal Issue
11
Date Issued
2011
Author(s)
DOI
PRVDA
Abstract
The rich phenomena of the shear viscosity (η) to entropy density (s) ratio, η/s, in weakly coupled N-component scalar field theories are studied. η/s can have a "double dip" behavior due to resonances and the phase transition. If an explicit Goldstone mass term is added, then η/s can either decrease monotonically in temperature or, as seen in many other systems, reach a minimum at the phase transition. We also show how to go beyond the original variational approach to make the Boltzmann equation computation of η systematic. © 2011 American Physical Society.
Type
journal article