Particle creation from entanglement entropy
Michael R. R. Good, Evgenii Ievlev, Eric V. Linder
TL;DR
This work proposes and validates a framework in which time-dependent entanglement entropy $S(t)$ directly drives particle creation in quantum field theory, using the moving mirror model as a concrete setup. By deriving explicit relations, it expresses the emitted spectrum and total energy in terms of the entropy's Fourier transform $S_\omega$, with key links such as $|\beta_{pq}|^2 = \frac{144}{\pi}\ \frac{pq}{\omega^2}\ |S_\omega|^2$, $N = \frac{24}{\pi} \int d\omega\ \omega |S_\omega|^2$, and $E = \frac{12}{\pi} \int d\omega\ \omega^2 |S_\omega|^2$, and connects these via power and stress-energy expressions. The paper validates the approach across Lorentzian, black-hole analog, and beta-decay-like entropy profiles, obtaining exact results such as $N = \frac{32}{3} S_{\max}^2$, $E = \frac{32}{3} \kappa S_{\max}^2$, and $E = M$ for BH analogs, while revealing IR/UV constraints and purity conditions. It further demonstrates large-particle production from harmonic entropy histories, producing extensive $N$ and $E$ with spectra that remain well-behaved under finite oscillations or damping, and discusses the emergence of UV divergences in discontinuous entropy histories. Overall, the work provides a concrete information-to-matter bridge aligned with Wheeler's $it \ from\ bit$ vision and outlines pathways to higher-dimensional generalizations and richer entropic regimes. $This$ framework thus offers a versatile operational tool for predicting radiation from entanglement dynamics in diverse quantum-field contexts.
Abstract
We investigate how entanglement entropy can drive particle creation, deriving explicit relations between entropy and the radiated particle spectrum, the total number of particles, and the total energy. Particle production is computed for scenarios that include accelerated motion, black hole evaporation, and beta decay, validating against known results while also extending them. We focus primarily on the low-entropy limit (analogous to non-relativistic motion), but also examine cases of significant particle production arising from harmonic cycles. The results establish an explicit operational link between information flow and matter creation, providing a concrete demonstration of 'it from bit'.