We show the entanglement entropy in certain quantum field theories to contain state-dependent divergences. Both perturbative and holographic examples are exhibited. However, quantities such as the relative entropy and the generalized entropy of black holes remain finite, due to cancellation of divergences. We classify all possible state-dependent divergences that can appear in both perturbatively renormalizeable and holographic covariant $d\le 6$ quantum field theories.We show the entanglement entropy in certain quantum field theories to contain state-dependent divergences. Both perturbative and holographic examples are exhibited. However, quantities such as the relative entropy and the generalized entropy of black holes remain finite, due to cancellation of divergences. We classify all possible state-dependent divergences that can appear in both perturbatively renormalizeable and holographic covariant $d\le 6$ quantum field theories.

Oct 1, 201614 citations

A Covariant Holographic Entanglement Entropy Proposal

Veronika E. Hubeny, Mukund Rangamani, Tadashi Takayanagi

With an aim towards understanding the time-dependence of entanglement entropy in generic quantum field theories, we propose a covariant generalization of the holographic entanglement entropy proposal of hep-th/0603001. Apart from providing several examples of possible covariant generalizations, we study a particular construction based on light-sheets, motivated in similar spirit to the covariant entropy bound underlying the holographic principle. In particular, we argue that the entanglement entropy associated with a specified region on the boundary in the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence is given by the area of a co-dimension two bulk surface with vanishing expansions of null geodesics. We demonstrate our construction with several examples to illustrate its reduction to the holographic entanglement entropy proposal in static spacetimes. We further show how this proposal may be used to understand the time evolution of entanglement entropy in a time varying QFT state dual to a collapsing black hole background. Finally, we use our proposal to argue that the Euclidean wormhole geometries with multiple boundaries should be regarded as states in a non-interacting but entangled set of QFTs, one associated to each boundary.With an aim towards understanding the time-dependence of entanglement entropy in generic quantum field theories, we propose a covariant generalization of the holographic entanglement entropy proposal of hep-th/0603001. Apart from providing several examples of possible covariant generalizations, we study a particular construction based on light-sheets, motivated in similar spirit to the covariant entropy bound underlying the holographic principle. In particular, we argue that the entanglement entropy associated with a specified region on the boundary in the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence is given by the area of a co-dimension two bulk surface with vanishing expansions of null geodesics. We demonstrate our construction with several examples to illustrate its reduction to the holographic entanglement entropy proposal in static spacetimes. We further show how this proposal may be used to understand the time evolution of entanglement entropy in a time varying QFT state dual to a collapsing black hole background. Finally, we use our proposal to argue that the Euclidean wormhole geometries with multiple boundaries should be regarded as states in a non-interacting but entangled set of QFTs, one associated to each boundary.

Jan 1, 2008977 citations

On the renormalization of entanglement entropy

Jin-Yi Pang, Jiunn-Wei Chen

Abstract The renormalization of entanglement entropy of quantum field theories is investigated in the simplest setting with a λϕ4 scalar field theory. The 3+1 dimensional spacetime is separated into two regions by an infinitely flat 2-dimensional interface. The entanglement entropy of the system across the interface has an elegant geometrical interpretation using the replica trick, which requires putting the field theory on a curved spacetime background. We demonstrate that the theory, and hence the entanglement entropy, is renormalizable at order λ once all the relevant operators up to dimension 4 are included in the action. This exercise has a one-to-one correspondence to entanglement entropy interpretation of the black hole entropy which suggests that our treatment is sensible. Our study suggests that entanglement entropy is renormalizable and is a physical quantity.Abstract The renormalization of entanglement entropy of quantum field theories is investigated in the simplest setting with a λϕ4 scalar field theory. The 3+1 dimensional spacetime is separated into two regions by an infinitely flat 2-dimensional interface. The entanglement entropy of the system across the interface has an elegant geometrical interpretation using the replica trick, which requires putting the field theory on a curved spacetime background. We demonstrate that the theory, and hence the entanglement entropy, is renormalizable at order λ once all the relevant operators up to dimension 4 are included in the action. This exercise has a one-to-one correspondence to entanglement entropy interpretation of the black hole entropy which suggests that our treatment is sensible. Our study suggests that entanglement entropy is renormalizable and is a physical quantity.

AAPPS bulletinDec 1, 202113 citations

On the Renormalization of Entanglement Entropy

Jiunn-Wei Chen, Jin-Yi Pang

The renormalization of entanglement entropy of quantum field theories is investigated in the simplest setting with a $λϕ^4$ scalar field theory. The 3+1 dimensional spacetime is separated into two regions by an infinitely flat 2-dimensional interface. The entanglement entropy of the system across the interface has an elegant geometrical interpretation using the replica trick, which requires putting the field theory on a curved spacetime background. We demonstrate that the theory, and hence the entanglement entropy, is renormalizable at order $λ$ once all the relevant operators up to dimension-4 are included in the action. This exercise has a one-to-one correspondence to entanglement entropy interpretation of the black hole entropy which suggests that our treatment is sensible. Our study suggests that entanglement entropy is renormalizable and is a physical quantity.The renormalization of entanglement entropy of quantum field theories is investigated in the simplest setting with a $λϕ^4$ scalar field theory. The 3+1 dimensional spacetime is separated into two regions by an infinitely flat 2-dimensional interface. The entanglement entropy of the system across the interface has an elegant geometrical interpretation using the replica trick, which requires putting the field theory on a curved spacetime background. We demonstrate that the theory, and hence the entanglement entropy, is renormalizable at order $λ$ once all the relevant operators up to dimension-4 are included in the action. This exercise has a one-to-one correspondence to entanglement entropy interpretation of the black hole entropy which suggests that our treatment is sensible. Our study suggests that entanglement entropy is renormalizable and is a physical quantity.

arXiv:1709.03205Sep 11, 20170 citations

A finite entanglement entropy and the c-theorem

Horacio Casini, Marina Huerta

The trace over the degrees of freedom located in a subset of the space transforms the vacuum state into a mixed density matrix with nonzero entropy. This is usually called entanglement entropy, and it is known to be divergent in quantum field theory (QFT). However, it is possible to define a finite quantity F(A,B) for two given different subsets A and B which measures the degree of entanglement between their respective degrees of freedom. We show that the function F(A,B) is severely constrained by the Poincaré symmetry and the mathematical properties of the entropy. In particular, for one component sets in two-dimensional conformal field theories its general form is completely determined. Moreover, it allows to prove an alternative entropic version of the c-theorem for (1+1)-dimensional QFT. We propose this well-defined quantity as the meaningfull entanglement entropy and comment on possible applications in QFT and the black hole evaporation problem.The trace over the degrees of freedom located in a subset of the space transforms the vacuum state into a mixed density matrix with nonzero entropy. This is usually called entanglement entropy, and it is known to be divergent in quantum field theory (QFT). However, it is possible to define a finite quantity F(A,B) for two given different subsets A and B which measures the degree of entanglement between their respective degrees of freedom. We show that the function F(A,B) is severely constrained by the Poincaré symmetry and the mathematical properties of the entropy. In particular, for one component sets in two-dimensional conformal field theories its general form is completely determined. Moreover, it allows to prove an alternative entropic version of the c-theorem for (1+1)-dimensional QFT. We propose this well-defined quantity as the meaningfull entanglement entropy and comment on possible applications in QFT and the black hole evaporation problem.

arXiv:hep-th/0405111Physics Letters BSep 14, 2004420 citations

Entanglement Entropy of Black Holes and Anti–de Sitter Space/Conformal-Field-Theory Correspondence

Sergey N. Solodukhin

A recent proposal by Ryu and Takayanagi for a holographic interpretation of entanglement entropy in conformal field theories dual to supergravity on anti-de Sitter space is generalized to include entanglement entropy of black holes living on the boundary of anti-de Sitter space. The generalized proposal is verified in boundary dimensions d=2 and d=4 for both the uv-divergent and uv-finite terms. In dimension d=4 an expansion of entanglement entropy in terms of size L of the subsystem outside the black hole is considered. A new term in the entropy of dual strongly coupled conformal-field theory, which universally grows as L(2)lnL and is proportional to the value of the obstruction tensor at the black hole horizon, is predicted.A recent proposal by Ryu and Takayanagi for a holographic interpretation of entanglement entropy in conformal field theories dual to supergravity on anti-de Sitter space is generalized to include entanglement entropy of black holes living on the boundary of anti-de Sitter space. The generalized proposal is verified in boundary dimensions d=2 and d=4 for both the uv-divergent and uv-finite terms. In dimension d=4 an expansion of entanglement entropy in terms of size L of the subsystem outside the black hole is considered. A new term in the entropy of dual strongly coupled conformal-field theory, which universally grows as L(2)lnL and is proportional to the value of the obstruction tensor at the black hole horizon, is predicted.

arXiv:hep-th/0606205Physical Review LettersNov 14, 200678 citations

d\le 6

quantum field theories.

The renormalization of entanglement entropy of quantum field theories is investigated in the simplest setting with a

λϕ^4

scalar field theory. The 3+1 dimensional spacetime is separated into two regions by an infinitely flat 2-dimensional interface. The entanglement entropy of the system across the interface has an elegant geometrical interpretation using the replica trick, which requires putting the field theory on a curved spacetime background. We demonstrate that the theory, and hence the entanglement entropy, is renormalizable at order

λ

once all the relevant operators up to dimension-4 are included in the action. This exercise has a one-to-one correspondence to entanglement entropy interpretation of the black hole entropy which suggests that our treatment is sensible. Our study suggests that entanglement entropy is renormalizable and is a physical quantity.