Hydrodynamic theories for a system of weakly self-interacting classical ultra-relativistic scalar particles: causality and stability

Abstract: We investigate the causality and stability of three different relativistic dissipative fluid-dynamical formulations emerging from a system of classical, ultra-relativistic scalar particles self-interacting via a quartic potential. For this particular interaction, all transport coefficients of Navier-Stokes, Bemfica-Disconzi-Noronha-Kovtun and second-order transient theories can be computed in analytical form. We first show that Navier-Stokes theory is acausal and unstable regardless of the matching conditions. On the other hand, BDNK theory can be linearly causal and stable for a particular set of matching choices that does not contain the so-called exotic Eckart prescription. In particular, using the Li\'enard-Chipart criterion, we obtain a set of sufficient conditions that guarantee the stability of the theory. Last, second-order transient hydrodynamic theory in Landau matching is shown to be linearly causal and stable.