Flavor-Dependent Entanglement Entropy in the Veneziano Limit from Light-Front Holographic QCD

Abstract

We introduce a novel application of light-front holographic QCD (LFHQCD) to compute the flavor-dependent entanglement entropy of QCD subsystems in the Veneziano limit ($N_c, N_f \to \infty$, $\lambda = N_f / N_c$ fixed), probing quantum correlations in confined and quark-gluon plasma (QGP) phases. Our model extends the soft-wall LFHQCD framework with a lattice-constrained, flavor-modified dilaton potential, $\phi(z) = \kappa^2 z^2 + \lambda \phi_f(z)$, and flavor-specific scalar fields to capture distinct light and heavy quark contributions. Using a Ryu-Takayanagi-like prescription adapted to light-front coordinates, we calculate the entanglement entropy $S_A$ for spatial and flavor subsystems as a function of $\lambda$, temperature $T$, and chemical potential $\mu$. The approach leverages LFHQCD's real-time dynamics to reveal flavor-driven entanglement asymmetries, particularly near confinement/deconfinement transitions. Results are benchmarked against lattice QCD data and linked to heavy-ion collision observables, such as multiplicity fluctuations and two-particle correlations at RHIC and LHC. This work pioneers the study of quantum information in LFHQCD, offering unique insights into QCD's quantum structure and testable predictions for QGP dynamics, distinct from existing holographic models.