Generalized relativistic second-order dissipative hydrodynamics: Coupling different rank tensors

In this work, we extend the formalism of second-order relativistic dissipative hydrodynamics, developed previously using Zubarev’s non-equilibrium statistical operator formalism (Harutyunyan et al., 2022). By employing a second-order expansion of the statistical operator in terms of hydrodynamic gradients, we demonstrate that new second-order terms emerge due to the coupling of two-point quantum correlators between tensors of differing ranks, evaluated at distinct space–time points. Such terms arise because of the presence of the acceleration vector in the system allows Curie’s theorem, which governs symmetry constraints, to be extended for constructing invariants from tensors of different ranks evaluated at distinct space–time points. The new terms are identified in the context of a complete set of second-order equations governing the shear-stress tensor, bulk-viscous pressure, and charge-diffusion currents for a generic quantum system characterized by the energy–momentum tensor and multiple conserved charges. Additionally, we identify the transport coefficients associated with these new terms and derive the Kubo formulas expressing the second-order transport coefficients through two- and three-point correlation functions.