Does entanglement suddenly reorganize after quantum shocks?

After a local disturbance in a quantum system, entanglement between two regions evolves through six distinct phases, each dominated by different quantum channels. Using holography, researchers found these transitions are controlled by a hidden symmetry that either permits or blocks entanglement flow—analogous to how symmetry breaking triggers equilibrium phase transitions. Finite-system effects blur these sharp boundaries, but the on-off switch for entanglement itself persists.