English

Replica Trick in Time-Dependent Geometries

High Energy Physics - Theory 2026-01-21 v2

Abstract

We present a unified Lorentzian replica-path-integral framework for computing entanglement entropy in fully time-dependent quantum field theories and gravitational systems. Building on this framework, we apply the real-time replica trick to cosmological spacetimes without spatial boundaries and relate it to existing proposals that identify effective dual QFT descriptions on screen-like surfaces inside the spacetime. We also extend the Lorentzian replica construction to intrinsic gravitational subsystems, focusing on Hawking radiation and including quantum corrections in purely gravitational settings lacking time-reflection symmetry. In both contexts, island-type replica saddles arise naturally. A brief review of the QFT and holographic cases is included to establish the common structure underlying these applications.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2601.08756,
  title  = {Replica Trick in Time-Dependent Geometries},
  author = {Anastasios Irakleous},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2601.08756},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

29 pages

R2 v1 2026-07-01T09:03:07.479Z