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Entanglement Entropy Via Double Cone Regularization
Entanglement Entropy Via Double Cone Regularization
Entanglement Entropy Via Double Cone Regularization
1.Introduction and Summary. In the realm of quantum iϵ prescription in the metric near the ZN orbifold
arXiv:2401.00219v2 [hep-th] 5 Jan 2024
field theory, particularly within the framework of singularity (where 1/N represents the number of replica
Feynman’s path integral [1, 2], the historical exploration sheets), we establish the efficacy of this regularization
of the iϵ prescription for the propagator has yielded method as an UV cut-off to entanglement entropy. This
valuable insights. This technique, also employed to assertion aligns with [11], emphasizing the necessity of
formulate the wave-functional of the vacuum state of the imposing boundary conditions around the entangling
universe [3], has more recently found in the regularization surface (the end points of the subsystem) to define
of the tip of a double cone geometry, as observed in entanglement entropy properly, given a division of the
the spectral form factor analysis [4–6]. This paper Hilbert space into subsystems. A distinctive advantage of
delves into the utilization of the iϵ prescription in the our method lies in the compatibility with the Heat kernel
Euclidean version of the double cone geometry, offering method, even with the introduction of a regulator. In
an alternative derivation of the universal behavior of the contrast, approaches involving a cut-off in the geometry,
entanglement entropy. such as the brick wall case [12], face challenges in solving
The entanglement entropy, introduced in quantum analytically via the method of images. Moreover, what
information theories and also in quantum field theories kind of physically relevant boundary conditions should be
[7], measures the entanglement between subsystems. favored remains unclear. To circumvent these difficulties,
A breakthrough in its calculation emerged with we extract the half cone contribution by halving the
the introduction of twist operators [8], providing a result in evaluating the partition function.
pathway to derive the universal logarithmic behavior
of entanglement entropy in two-dimensional conformal We demonstrated in the free scalar theory on a
field theory (CFT). Significantly, entanglement entropy flat space-time in any dimensions and arbitrary two-
diverges in quantum field theories due to the infinite dimensional CFTs. Despite successfully reproducing
degrees of freedom inherent in the vacuum state, universal terms, our approach comes with a trade-
necessitating the introduction of an ultra-violet (UV) off. Specifically, in our calculation of the entanglement
cut-off for its quantification. entropy for the free boson theory in even dimensions,
For a d-dimensional quantum field theory, the we encounter an imaginary constant term. Similarly, in
entanglement entropy of low-energy states is anticipated odd-dimensional cases, the non-universal part becomes
to follow the form from the holographic calculation purely imaginary. This outcome aligns with the inherent
[9, 10]: complexity of the Schwinger parameter in partition
( function evaluation and the non-Hermitian nature of
Cd−2 C0 log ξϵ + · · · , for even d the modular Hamiltonian for the sub-algebra, as noted
SA = d−2 + · · · + d−1
ϵ (−1) 2 F + · · · . for odd d in [6]. While our double cone regularization method
(1) yields the same universal terms compared to other
methods such as the momentum cut-off or the lattice
The initial term illustrates the area law of entanglement regularization, it operates through a totally different
entropy, prevalent at low energies. Remarkably, the manner. In particular, the spectrum of modular
logarithmic term in even dimensions is proven to be Hamiltonian is drastically changed if we turn on the
universal. Also in odd dimensions the constant term regularization parameter. It is important to stress
exhibits universality. The term ”universal” is employed that the modified modular Hamiltonian have complex
to convey its independence of the regularization schemes. spectrum and quasi normal modes, which capture the
This paper introduces an approach to extract the universal anomaly terms though the spectrum itself
universal term of entanglement entropy through the does not depend on regularization parameter in an
Euclidean double cone calculations. By employing the explicit way. Understanding how to extract physically
2
(n)
meaningful quantities amid the renormalization of the SA by ϵ2 . The universal term is given by the
complex parameters represents an interesting avenue for constant term and logarithmic term for odd and even
future exploration. For the scope of this paper, our focus d, respectively
remains on the universal terms.
(n+1) π 2−d
It is pertinent to draw attention to the parallelism
6n d Γ 2 · Vd−2 md−2 , d ∈ odd
(n) (4π) 2
with pseudo entropy [13, 14]. We anticipate that the SA ∼ (n+1) d −1
2π (−1) 2 1
specific details of the complex contour deformation will
6n d · Vd−2 md−2 log mϵ . d ∈ even
(4π) 2 ( d
2 −1 )!
yield distinct signs and values for the constant terms.
Pursuing this avenue, we find it intriguing to investigate Above we manually introduced the cut-off scale in (5)
its applications to the holographic entanglement entropy through dimensional analysis. A natural question to ask
[9, 10] and also to de Sitter holography [15]. The utility is whether we can interpret this ϵ as a geometric cut-off.
of the iϵ prescription in the metric extends to various The iϵ prescription provides a lucid understanding of this.
situations where analytical solutions are favored while Below, we demonstrate that this prescription effectively
introducing a cut-off. resolves the orbifold singularity.
2.Entanglement entropy in free scalar fields. In the In this instance, we shape the Euclidean double cone
subsequent section, we revisit the orbifold method geometry by extending the radial direction to negative
employed in deriving entanglement entropy as outlined values and slightly deforming it into the imaginary
in [16]. Our focus centers on the entanglement entropy in direction, as detailed in [4–6]
the free scalar field in d-dimensional flat space, denoted d
as Rd . We choose a subsystem A, which is defined as
X
ds2 = dr2 + (r − iϵ)2 dθ2 + (dxi )2 , (6)
x1 > 0. For ease of representation, we amalgamate τ i=2
and x1 into a single complex plane C. Employing the
orbifold method, we calculate the n-th Rényi entropy for where −∞ < r < ∞. Replacing iϵ with ϵ might appear to
the half-infinite region. yield similar outcomes naively. However, it is crucial to
Utilizing the orbifold method, the n-th Rényi entropy note that the metric becomes non-invertible at r = ϵ. We
for a semi-infinite subsystem is derived as follows: claim that the metric, utilizing the iϵ prescription, not
only satisfies the Einstein equation but also offers a more
(n) 1 d−2
1 d−2
flexible method for regulating the UV divergence though
SA = Z C/ZN × R − Z C×R , initially we do not necessarily introduce an imaginary
1−n N N= n 1
(n + 1) π Vd−2 negative branch for Re[r] < 0 part. Since the integrand
2 2
= d E d ϵ m , (5) is Z2 invariant, we consider only the part Re[r] > 0.
6n (4π) 2 ϵd−2 2
Consequently, we obtain:
where Eν (z) is the ν-th order exponential integral similar 1
Z C/ZN × Rd−2 − Z C × Rd−2
to (1) and we introduce a cut-off ϵ. We can expand N
3
N −1
Γ′ t′
Z
πVd−2 X 1 d 2 2
+ ϵt sin2 ( kπ
N )
Γ t
= dt · t− 2 e−tm .
sin2
d kπ
(4π) 2 N k=1 N Γ
γ
FIG. 2. (Left):The contour for the Heat kernel. (Right):The
contour for the Hankel function.
FIG. 1. The contour γ for our double cone regularization. for Re[z] > 0 [22]. Γ′ is illustrated in Fig.2. Let us set
z = imr, where Re[r] > 0 and Im[r] < 0. Then we see
Re[imr] > 0 and Im[imr] > 0. By combining these
Schwinger parameter as Γ = [0, ∞), the integral diverges.
iν dt′ imr
Z Z
Therefore, we must consider Γ in the complex plane. (t′ − t1′ ) 1 r ν dt −m2 t− r2
Kν (mr) = e 2 = e 4t .
This implies that we need to involve complex Schwinger 2 Γ′ t′ν+1 2 2m Γ t ν+1
We can calculate the Green’s function and the heat As with the case for the momentum cut-off, we can
kernel separately. From this identity, we can specify the explore the ϵ expansion. Let’s focus on the scenario when
appropriate contour for the Schwinger parameter. The d is even. In this case, the n-th Rényi entropy can be
Green’s function for real positive r is also known expanded as follows:
d
N −1
1 m d2 −1 (n) 2 −1 ! d Vd−2 1 X 1
GRd (x, x′ ) = K d −1 (mr), (9) SA = (−1) 2 −1 d−2 kπ d−2
+ ···
2π 2πr 2
2 ϵ N (sin N )
k=1
d
where Kν (z) is the modified Bessel function of the second n + 1 2π (−1) 2 d−2 1
+ · Vd−2 m log
kind. For the real r > 0 and t > 0 case we can show that 3n (4π) d2 d2 − 1 ! mϵ
the previous identity holds n + 1 2π (−1) 2 −1
d
d
iπ
+ ψ −1 −γ+ · Vd−2 md−2 · · · .
3n (4π) d2 d2 − 1 !
Z ∞ 2 2
dtKRd (x, x′ ; t) = GRd (x, x′ ). (10)
0 It’s noteworthy that all terms can be divided by N − 1,
allowing us to safely define the entanglement entropy.
In our double cone regularization, we should ensure that When d is odd, we see:
the identity (10) holds for r such that Re[r] > 0 and
Im[r] < 0. To achieve this, we consider deforming the N −1 d
(−1) 2 −1 Γ d2 − 1 Vd−2
(n) 2π 1 X 1
contour of the integral away from the real axis. One SA = d d
(4π) 2 N k=1 sin kπ 2 ϵd−2
possible contour satisfying these criteria is illustrated in N
Fig.2. This is justified as follows: it is known that the n+1 π 2−d
(1) + ··· + d Γ · Vd−2 md−2 + · · · .
Hankel function of the first kind Hν (z) has an integral 3n (4π) 2 2
representation,
dt′ z2 (t′ − 1′ )
Z
(1) 1 It is important to note that the divergent terms for odd
Hν (z) = e t , (11)
iπ Γ′ t′ν+1 d are purely imaginary.
4
One crucial observation is that if divided by two section, our computations in the free boson theory in two
(extract a half cone), the universal term of the Rényi dimensions are consistent with the behavior expressed in
entropy obtained via our double cone regularization (14), with c = 1.
matches the one from the momentum cut-off (6). Several methodologies exist for deriving the universal
As is customary, the density matrix of the right Rindler behavior articulated in (14). Authors have employed
wedge in Minkowski space is naively expressed as techniques such as twist operators, as documented in [8],
and boundary states, allowing for understanding from
1
e−βK , Z(m2 , β) = Tr e−βK ,
ρ= (12) the algebraic structure of the Hilbert space, as explained
Z(m2 , β) in [11].
where K represents a boost operator [23]. In the double Now, we intend to employ the iϵ prescription in the
cone regularization, it is natural to replace the boost replica manifold. We shall focus on the scenario of a flat
operator K with the modified boost operator K e [6], two-dimensional plane, denoted as R2 , hosting a unitary
which is defined as the translation of θ in the deformed conformal field theory (CFT). It is noteworthy that
metric (6) , yielding our considerations encompass arbitrary two-dimensional
CFTs, irrespective of their central charges. The metric
1 h i
of interest is expressed as follows:
ρ= e−2πK , Z(m
e 2 , β) = Tr e−β Ke . (13)
e
e 2 , β)
Z(m
ds2 = dx2 + dτ 2 = dr2 + r2 dθ2 . (15)
It is important to note that if this holds true, ρ is not
a Hermitian operator since K e is non-Hermitian. The We designate the subsystem A as x ∈ [0, L] at τ = 0. To
eigenvalues of the K
e are called quasi-normal modes (here facilitate calculations, we introduce complex coordinates
correspondingly they are complex valued). In Appendix as follows:
A, we derive the spectrum of these quasi-normal modes
z = x + iτ, z̄ = x − iτ. (16)
and show that it is independent of our regularization
parameter ϵ > 0. These quasi-normal modes determine We begin by constructing the double cone geometry
the poles of the partition function Ze [24], leading to the resembling a ”wormhole” with two throats attached
formula around z = 0 and z = L. In order to regulate the
i2r∞ ξ + 2 l − 41
! physics around the entangling surface (the boundary
Pol(m2 )
Y
2
Z(m , β) = e
e Γ 1+β , of the subsystem), we employ the iϵ prescription in
2π
l≥1,k that region. The procedure is outlined as follows: We
consider the radial coordinate around the endpoints of
where r∞ is an IR cut-off,√ ⃗k are momentum for the the interval, denoted as z = 0, L in Fig.3. Similar to
Rd−2 directions and ξ = k2 + m2 . β is 2π or 2πn the flat plane case, we extend the radial direction into
depending on assuming one-sheet or n-sheet geometry, negative values using the iϵ prescription
respectively. Here, we exclusively consider the quasi-
normal modes (l ≥ 1) as Im[K] e < 0 as discussed in [6]. z = (r − iϵ)eiθ . (17)
Despite the absence of the UV parameter ϵ in the quasi-
normal modes, the analytic function Pol(m2 ) includes the One may wonder if this prescription is correct since we
UV parameter. This discussion on non-Hermitian density can also construct a double cone geometry in an n-sheet
matrices assures us that the Renyi entropy is not obliged geometry. We can leverage a map
to be a real value. Specifically, taking the limit n → 1 n1
yields a complex-valued entanglement entropy. However, z−L
ζ= , (18)
in our scenario, entropic inequalities like subadditivity z
or strong subadditivity are not naively applicable due to
to construct the n-sheet geometry. Since we are in a
the non-Hermitian nature of the density matrix. This
flat space R2 , we can create the double cone geometry
is similar to a case that von Neumann entropy defined
using the iϵ prescription, as done previously. In this
through transition matrix, called pseudo entropy, violates
scenario, the position of the ”wormhole” throat slightly
entropic inequalities [13].
differs from z = 0 and z = L if we pull back to one-sheet
3.Double cone in two-dimensional CFTs. In two-
geometry. For instance, employing a map (see (18)),
dimensional conformal field theories, the entanglement
we can construct a double cone geometry with the iϵ
entropy in the single interval case is universal
prescription, which can then be pulled back to the one-
c L sheet geometry. The position of the throat around L is
SA = log , (14) determined by:
3 ϵ
where the c is the central charge of the CFT and L L
z= , (19)
is the interval length. As elucidated in the preceding 1 − (−iϵeiθ )n
5
and even in the n → 1 limit this position differs where Zn and Z1 denote the partition function of the
from the position, where we originally introduced the iϵ n and one-sheet geometries. In the long length limit
prescription (log Lϵ → ∞), the partition function can be approximated
by truncating the vacuum state propagation
z = L − iϵeiθ . (20)
Although the details of the throat positions may differ 1 c 1 − n2 L c L
SA = lim log = log . (23)
(and sometimes the shape of the throat may also differ n→1 1 − n 6 n ϵ 3 ϵ
in different regularization schemes), they do not change
the leading terms in the entanglement entropy, as we will We need to extract the half cone contribution, divide
see below. The discussion below parallels the argument the result by two, and take into account the contribution
in [11]. from the anti-holomorphic part. Therefore, we obtain
After introducing the double cone geometry with the
iϵ prescription for the one-sheet geometry, we can map it c L
SA = log , (24)
into the torus 3 ϵ
z
w = log . (21) where we ignore the sub-leading corrections in the Lϵ
L−z
expansions, which are complex valued in general.
Note that, since we are dealing with the complex
4.Conclusion. We presented an alternative derivation of
z w the universal component of entanglement entropy using
Conformal
& the iϵ prescription applied to the Euclidean double cone
U U geometry. Our calculations were demonstrated in the
map
I I
In this appendix, we explore the massive free field theory within the framework of a double cone geometry in
Minkowski space. While our approach parallels that of [6, 25], we explicitly provide the exact solution. The scalar
fields ϕl (r) and ϕr (r) are considered for Re[r] > 0 and Re[r] < 0, respectively. The wave equation to be solved is
given by
d
!
1 √ 1 2 X 2 2
√ ∂r r ∂r + 2 ∂τ +
2 ∂i − m ϕ = 0, (25)
r2 r i=2
To ensure the analytic continuation of the right field to the lower half-plane matches the left field, as expressed in
Eq. (27), we impose the conditions:
ϕl (e−iπ r) = e−iωt (eπω A(ω) − 2i cosh πωB(ω))Jiω (−irξ) + e−πω B(ω)Yiω (−irξ) ,
(30)
ϕr (−r) = e−iωt Λ(ω)(A(ω)Jiω (−irξ) + B(ω)Yiω (−irξ)).
Given the independence of the two Bessel functions for all orders, we deduce the relations:
eπω A(ω) − 2i cosh πωB(ω) = Λ(ω)A(ω),
(31)
e−πω B(ω) = Λ(ω)B(ω).
Introducing the IR cutoff r = r∞ and demanding the Dirichlet boundary condition ϕ(r = r∞ ) = 0 yields the
solution:
Fω (r) = c(ω)(Yiω (−ir∞ ξ)Jiω (−irξ) − Jiω (−ir∞ ξ)Yiω (−irξ)). (33)
For the case where the IR cutoff is very large r∞ ξ ≫ 1, and using the asymptotic form of the Bessel functions
r
1 iωπ π
Jiω (z) ∼ cos z − − + ··· ,
πz 2 4
r (35)
1 iωπ π
Yiω (z) ∼ sin z − − + ··· ,
πz 2 4
3
we obtain
iωπ π iωπ π
sin iπω sin −ir∞ ξ − − − cos iπω cos −ir∞ ξ − − = 0. (36)
2 4 2 4
This implies
ωπ π 1
i −ir∞ ξ − = l − π, l ∈ Z,
2 4 2
(37)
2r∞ ξ 1
ωl = − 2i l − , l ∈ Z.
π 4
Thus, we have obtained the quasi-normal mode. In the case where iω ∈ Z, the analytic continuation of the Bessel
functions of the second kind is slightly modified: