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arXiv · 2610.03929

Quantum covariant bit threads

Matthew Headrick·Sreeman Reddy Kasireddy·Andrew Rolph
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Abstract

Entanglement entropy plays a central role in holography. The quantum extremal surface (QES) formula is the standard tool in settings where both dynamics and bulk quantum corrections are important, such as in black hole evaporation. We derive and explore QES-equivalent prescriptions --- quantum covariant bit threads --- that formulate holographic entanglement entropy in terms of minimal or maximal bulk flows rather than extremal surfaces. Like classical covariant bit threads, our prescriptions come in two types: (typically) spacelike V-flows, and timelike U-flows. To account for bulk quantum corrections, the flow lines can start and end at points in the bulk, with the distribution of endpoints controlled by bulk entanglement entropies. In our bit thread language, the QES is a quantum bottleneck to the flow, with some threads passing through it (accounting for the area term in the generalized entropy) and others jumping across it (accounting for the entropy term). Our prescriptions provide a complementary perspective to the QES formula and offer new insights on important phenomena such as black hole evaporation, islands, and baby universes.

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Matthew Headrick, Sreeman Reddy Kasireddy, Andrew Rolph. 2026-10-02. Quantum covariant bit threads. https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.03929

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