Transport properties of the relativistic degenerate electron gas in a strong magnetic field: Covariant relaxation-time model

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Abstract
With a view to calculating the transport coefficients (viscosity coefficients, heat, and electrical conductivities) of the relativistic degenerate electron gas embedded in a strong magnetic field, some methods of relativistic quantum statistical mechanics are discussed. In particular, a scalar quantum distribution is studied as well as the main observable quantities relevant to the problem (four-current, momentum-energy tensor). A covariant Bathnagar-Gross-Krook equation is given which reduces to a previous one first proposed by Anderson and Witting. This equation leads to the so-called "matching conditions" of Landau and Lifshitz.