Relative entropy for compact Riemann surfaces

Abstract

The relative entropy of the massive free bosonic field theory is studied on various compact Riemann surfaces as a universal quantity with physical significance, in particular, for gravitational phenomena. The exact expression for the sphere is obtained, as well as its asymptotic series for large mass and its Taylor series for small mass. One can also derive exact expressions for the torus but not for higher genus. However, the asymptotic behavior for large mass can always be established - up to a constant - with heat-kernel methods. It consists of an asymptotic series determined only by the curvature - and, hence, is common for homogeneous surfaces of genus higher than one - and exponentially vanishing corrections whose form is determined by the concrete topology. The coefficient of the logarithmic term in this series gives the conformal anomaly. ©2000 The American Physical Society.