Entanglement Through Topological Defects: Reconciling Theory with Numerics

TL;DR

This paper proposes a new method for calculating entanglement entropy in systems with topological defects, resolving previous discrepancies between theory and numerical results by incorporating defect networks into reduced density matrices.

Contribution

It introduces a paradigm shift in the preparation of reduced density matrices with topological defects, aligning theoretical predictions with numerical simulations.

Findings

Agreement with numerical entanglement entropies for Ising model defects

Role of defect networks in entanglement calculations clarified

Method applicable beyond entanglement entropy to other measures

Abstract

Present theoretical predictions for the entanglement entropy through topological defects are violated by numerical simulations. In order to resolve this, we introduce a paradigm shift in the preparation of reduced density matrices in the presence of topological defects, and emphasize the role of defect networks with which they can be dressed. We consider the cases of grouplike and duality defects in detail for the Ising model, and find agreement with all numerically found entanglement entropies. Since our construction functions at the level of reduced density matrices, it accounts for topological defects beyond the entanglement entropy to other entanglement measures.