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Title: Saturation of the quantum null energy condition in far-from-equilibrium systems

Journal Article · · Physical Review D
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The quantum null energy condition (QNEC) is a new local energy condition that a general quantum field theory (QFT) is believed to satisfy, relating the classical null energy condition (NEC) to the second functional derivative of the entanglement entropy in the corresponding null direction. We present the first series of explicit computations of QNEC in a strongly coupled QFT, using holography. Here we consider the vacuum, thermal equilibrium, a homogeneous far-from-equilibrium quench as well as a colliding system that violates NEC. For the vacuum and thermal phase, QNEC is always weaker than NEC. While for the homogeneous quench QNEC is satisfied with a finite gap, we find the interesting result that the colliding system can saturate QNEC, depending on the null direction.

Research Organization:
Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0011090
OSTI ID:
1457076
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1501456
Journal Information:
Physical Review D, Journal Name: Physical Review D Vol. 97 Journal Issue: 12; ISSN 2470-0010
Publisher:
American Physical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 9 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (3)

Energy density from second shape variations of the von Neumann entropy journal October 2018
Local Quantum Energy Conditions in Non-Lorentz-Invariant Quantum Field Theories journal September 2019
Quantum null energy condition and its (non)saturation in 2d CFTs journal January 2019

Figures / Tables (8)

FIG. 1.(p. 3)figure FIG. 1.
FIG. 2.(p. 4)figure FIG. 2.
FIG. 3.(p. 4)figure FIG. 3.
FIG. 4.(p. 4)figure FIG. 4.
FIG. 5.(p. 4)figure FIG. 5.
FIG. 6.(p. 5)figure FIG. 6.
FIG. 7.(p. 5)figure FIG. 7.
FIG. 8.(p. 5)figure FIG. 8.

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Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS