A bstract The fusion rules and operator product expansion (OPE) serve as crucial tools in the study of operator algebras within conformal field theory (CFT). Building upon the vision of using entanglement to explore the connections between fusion coefficients and OPE coefficients, we employ the replica method and Schmidt decomposition method to investigate the time evolution of entanglement entropy (EE) and pseudo entropy (PE) for linear combinations of operators in rational conformal field theory (RCFT). We obtain a formula that links fusion coefficients, quantum dimensions, and OPE coefficients. We also identify two definition schemes for linear combination operators. Under one scheme, the EE captures information solely for the heaviest operators, while the PE retains information for all operators, reflecting the phenomenon of pseudo entropy amplification. Irrespective of the scheme employed, the EE demonstrates a step-like evolution, illustrating the effectiveness of the quasiparticle propagation picture for the general superposition of locally excited states in RCFT. From the perspective of quasiparticle propagation, we observe spontaneous block-diagonalization of the reduced density matrix of a subsystem when quasiparticles enter the subsystem.
A bstract The fusion rules and operator product expansion (OPE) serve as crucial tools in the study of operator algebras within conformal field theory (CFT). Building upon the vision of using entanglement to explore the connections between fusion coefficients and OPE coefficients, we employ the replica method and Schmidt decomposition method to investigate the time evolution of entanglement entropy (EE) and pseudo entropy (PE) for linear combinations of operators in rational conformal field theory (RCFT). We obtain a formula that links fusion coefficients, quantum dimensions, and OPE coefficients. We also identify two definition schemes for linear combination operators. Under one scheme, the EE captures information solely for the heaviest operators, while the PE retains information for all operators, reflecting the phenomenon of pseudo entropy amplification. Irrespective of the scheme employed, the EE demonstrates a step-like evolution, illustrating the effectiveness of the quasiparticle propagation picture for the general superposition of locally excited states in RCFT. From the perspective of quasiparticle propagation, we observe spontaneous block-diagonalization of the reduced density matrix of a subsystem when quasiparticles enter the subsystem.
Abstract In this work, we study the real-time evolution of pseudo-(Rényi) entropy, a generalization of entanglement entropy, in two-dimensional conformal field theories (CFTs). We focus on states obtained by acting primary operators located at different space points or their linear combinations on the vacuum. We show the similarities and differences between the pseudo-(Rényi) entropy and entanglement entropy. For excitation by a single primary operator, we analyze the behaviors of the 2nd pseudo-Rényi entropy in various limits and find some symmetries associated with the subsystem and the positions of the inserted operators. For excitation by linear combinations, the late time limit of the nth pseudo-Rényi entropy shows a simple form related to the coefficients of the combinations and Rényi entropy of the operators, which can be derived by using the Schmidt decomposition. Further, we find two kinds of particular spatial configurations of insertion operators in one of which the pseudo-(Rényi) entropy remains real throughout the time evolution.
Abstract In this paper, we use the replica approach to study the Rényi entropy S L of generic locally excited states in (1+1)D CFTs, which are constructed from the insertion of multiple product of local primary operators on vacuum. Alternatively, one can calculate the Rényi entropy S R corresponding to the same states using Schmidt decomposition and operator product expansion, which reduces the multiple product of local primary operators to linear combination of operators. The equivalence S L = S R translates into an identity in terms of the F symbols and quantum dimensions for rational CFT, and the latter can be proved algebraically. This, along with a series of papers, gives a complete picture of how the quantum information quantities and the intrinsic structure of (1+1)D CFTs are consistently related.
The R\'enyi entanglement entropy (REE) of the states excited by local operators in two-dimensional irrational conformal field theories (CFTs), especially in Liouville field theory (LFT) and N=1 super-Liouville field theory (SLFT), has been investigated. In particular, the excited states obtained by acting on the vacuum with primary operators were considered. We start from evaluating the second REE in a compact c=1 free boson field theory at generic radius, which is an irrational CFT. Then we focus on the two special irrational CFTs, e.g., LFT and SLFT. In these theories, the second REE of such local excited states becomes divergent in early and late time limits. For simplicity, we study the memory effect of REE for the two classes of the local excited states in LFT and SLFT. In order to restore the quasiparticles picture, we define the difference of REE between target and reference states, which belong to the same class. The variation of the difference of REE between early and late time limits always coincides with the log of the ratio of the fusion matrix elements between target and reference states. Furthermore, the locally excited states by acting generic descendent operators on the vacuum have been also investigated. The variation of the difference of REE is the summation of the log of the ratio of the fusion matrix elements between the target and reference states and an additional normalization factor. Since the identity operator (or vacuum state) does not live in the Hilbert space of LFT and SLFT and no discrete terms contribute to REE in the intermediate channel, the variation of the difference of REE between target and reference states is no longer the log of the quantum dimension which is shown in the 1+1-dimensional rational CFTs (RCFTs).
In this thesis we apply techniques from quantum information theory to study quantum gravity within the framework of the anti-de Sitter / conformal field theory correspondence (AdS/CFT). Through AdS/CFT, progress has been made in understanding the structure of entanglement in quantum field theories, and in how gravitational physics can emerge from these structures. However, this understanding is far from complete and will require the development of new tools to quantify correlations in CFT. This thesis presents refinements of a duality between operator product expansion (OPE) blocks in the CFT, giving the contribution of a conformal family to the OPE, and geodesic integrated fields in AdS which are diffeomorphism invariant quantities. This duality was originally discovered in the maximally symmetric setting of pure AdS dual to the CFT ground state. In less symmetric states the duality must be modified. Working with excited states within AdS3/CFT2, this thesis shows how the OPE block decomposes into more fine-grained CFT observables that are dual to AdS fields integrated over non-minimal geodesics. Additionally, this thesis contains results on the dynamics of entanglement measures for general quantum systems. Results are presented for the family of quantum Rényi entropies and entanglement negativity. Rényi entropies are studied for general dynamics by imposing special initial conditions. Around pure, separable initial states, all Rényi entropies grow with the same timescale at leading, and next-to-leading order. Mathematical tools are developed for the differentiation of non-analytic matrix functions with respect to constrained arguments and are used to construct analytic expressions for derivatives of negativity. We establish bounds on the rate of change of state distinguishability and the rate of entanglement growth for closed systems. Note: Abstract shortened.
A bstract We study the relative Rényi entropy (RRE) under local quenches in two-dimensional conformal field theories (CFTs), focusing on rational CFTs (RCFTs) and holographic CFTs. In RCFTs, the RRE evolves as a monotonic function over time, depending on finite-dimensional matrices. It is sometimes symmetric, prompting an investigation into its relationship with the squared trace distance. We also observe that relative entropy can fail to distinguish between operators, as it only captures information entering/exiting the subsystem. In holographic CFTs, an analytic continuation of the RRE reveals insights into the entanglement wedge, offering a new perspective on bulk geometry in AdS/CFT. Our results deepen the understanding of quantum information measures in RCFTs and holographic CFTs, highlighting connections to distinguishability and bulk reconstruction.
Abstract In one dimension, the area law and its implications for the approximability by matrix product states are the key to efficient numerical simulations involving quantum states. Similarly, in simulations involving quantum operators, the approximability by matrix product operators (in Hilbert–Schmidt norm) is tied to an operator area law , namely the fact that the operator space entanglement entropy (OSEE)—the natural analog of entanglement entropy for operators, investigated by Zanardi (2001 Phys. Rev . A 63 040304) and by Prosen and Pižorn (2007 Phys. Rev. A 76 032316)—is bounded. In the present paper, it is shown that the OSEE can be calculated in two-dimensional conformal field theory, in a number of situations that are relevant to questions of simulability of long-time dynamics in one spatial dimension. It is argued that: (i) thermal density matrices ρ ∝ e − β H and generalized Gibbs ensemble density matrices ρ ∝ e − H G G E with local H GGE generically obey the operator area law; (ii) after a global quench, the OSEE first grows linearly with time, then decreases back to its thermal or GGE saturation value, implying that, while the operator area law is satisfied both in the initial state and in the asymptotic stationary state at large time, it is strongly violated in the transient regime; (iii) the OSEE of the evolution operator U ( t ) = e − i H t increases linearly with t , unless the Hamiltonian is in a localized phase; (iv) local operators in Heisenberg picture, ϕ ( t ) = e i H t ϕ e − i H t , have an OSEE that grows sublinearly in time (perhaps logarithmically), however it is unclear whether this effect can be captured in a traditional CFT framework, as the free fermion case hints at an unexpected breakdown of conformal invariance.