I explain a generalization of Bjorken flow where the medium has finite transverse size and expands both radially and along the beam axis. If one assumes that the equations of viscous hydrodynamics can be used, with $p=ϵ/3$ and zero bulk viscosity, then the flow I describe can be developed into an exact solution of the relativistic Navier-Stokes equations. The local four-velocity in the flow is entirely determined by the assumption of symmetry under a subgroup of the conformal group.

• Received 25 August 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.82.085027