Entanglement entropy in a time-dependent holographic Schwinger pair creation

Abstract

We analyze the entanglement of a Schwinger pair created by a time-dependent pulse. In the semi-classical approximation, the pair creation by a pulse of external electric field is captured by a periodic worldline instanton. At strong gauge coupling, the gauge-gravity dual worldsheet instanton exhibits a falling wormhole in AdS. We identify the tunneling time at the boundary with the inverse Unruh temperature, and derive the pertinent entanglement entropy between the created pair using thermodynamics. The entanglement entropy is enhanced by the sub-barrier tunneling process, and partly depleted by the radiation in the post-barrier process.