Relativistic equilibrium distribution by relative entropy maximization

Fukui Prefectural University - 910-1195 Fukui, Japan

Corresponding author: tadas@fpu.ac.jp

Received: 18 July 2009
Accepted: 4 November 2009

Abstract

The equilibrium state of a relativistic gas has been calculated based on the maximum entropy principle. Though the relativistic equilibrium state was long believed to be the Jüttner distribution, a number of papers have been published in recent years proposing alternative equilibrium states. Some of these papers do not pay enough attention to the covariance of distribution functions, resulting in confusion in equilibrium states. Starting from a fully covariant expression, it has been shown in the present paper that the Jüttner distribution is the maximum entropy state if we assume the Lorentz symmetry.