Time evolution of entanglement entropy after quenches in two-dimensional free fermion systems: a dimensional reduction treatment

Abstract

We study the time evolution of the R\'enyi entanglement entropies following a quantum quench in a two-dimensional (2D) free-fermion system. By employing dimensional reduction, we effectively transform the 2D problem into decoupled chains, a technique applicable when the system exhibits translational invariance in one direction. Various initial configurations are examined, revealing that the behavior of entanglement entropies can often be explained by adapting the one-dimensional quasiparticle picture. However, intriguingly, for specific initial states the entanglement entropy saturates to a finite value without the reduced density matrix converging to a stationary state. We discuss the conditions necessary for a stationary state to exist and delve into the necessary modifications to the quasiparticle picture when such a state is absent.