Holographic Renyi Entropy from Quantum Error Correction

Abstract: We study Renyi entropies $S_n$ in quantum error correcting codes and compare the answer to the cosmic brane prescription for computing $\widetilde{S}_n \equiv n^2 \partial_n (\frac{n-1}{n} S_n)$. We find that general operator algebra codes have a similar, more general prescription. Notably, for the AdS/CFT code to match the specific cosmic brane prescription, the code must have maximal entanglement within eigenspaces of the area operator. This gives us an improved definition of the area operator, and establishes a stronger connection between the Ryu-Takayanagi area term and the edge modes in lattice gauge theory. We also propose a new interpretation of existing holographic tensor networks as area eigenstates instead of smooth geometries. This interpretation would explain why tensor networks have historically had trouble modeling the Renyi entropy spectrum of holographic CFTs, and it suggests a method to construct holographic networks with the correct spectrum.