Note on entanglement and edge modes

Abstract

A recent numerical evaluation of the spherical universal log coefficient in the Maxwell free--energy and its decomposition into bulk and edge contributions via a bounded hyperbolic geometry mode calculation is shown to be equivalent to an existing compact formulation for $p$--forms, at $p=1$, on a conically deformed sphere. The edge mode seems to be a ghost (p-1)-form. Some numbers are given. Conformally covariant, higher derivative propagation is treated and a dynamical origin for the bulk contribution is suggested, The degrees of freedom of the Kalb--Ramond field are briefly discussed.

6 pages Sections and references added on conformal and higher derivative propagation and on the Kalb-Ramond field