Non-equilibrium modifications of the nuclear equation of state

Abstract

Non-equilibrium modifications of the nuclear equation of state are assessed in the framework of Extended Irreversible Thermodynamics. The expected size of the non-equilibrium corrections to quantities like the nuclear-matter incompressibility $K$ and the liquid-vapor critical temperature $T_c$ are compared to the uncertainties associated at present with the usual equilibrium values. The quantitative estimates are obtained in situations characterized by a stationary planar shear flow of realistic magnitude, or by a stationary temperature gradient.Comment: 10 pages, latex, no figure