Quantifying non-classical correlations under thermal effects in a double cavity optomechanical system

Abstract

We investigate the generation of quantum correlations between mechanical modes and optical modes in an optomechanical system, using the rotating wave approximation. The system is composed of two Fabry–Pérot cavities separated in space; each of the two cavities has a movable end-mirror. Our aim is the evaluation of entanglement between mechanical modes and optical modes, generated by correlations transfer from the squeezed light to the system, using Gaussian intrinsic entanglement as a witness of entanglement in continuous variables Gaussian states, and the quantification of the degree of mixedness of the Gaussian states using the purity. Then, we quantify nonclassical correlations between mechanical modes and optical modes even beyond entanglement by considering Gaussian geometric discord via the Hellinger distance. Indeed, entanglement, mixdness, and quantum discord are analyzed as a function of the parameters characterizing the system (thermal bath temperature, squeezing parameter, and optomechanical cooperativity). We find that, under thermal effect, when entanglement vanishes, purity and quantum discord remain nonzero. Remarkably, the Gaussian Hellinger discord is more robust than entanglement. The effects of the other parameters are discussed in detail.