Entanglement Generation in Two-Mode Gaussian Systems in a Thermal Environment

Abstract

We describe the evolution of the quantum entanglement in a system composed of two interacting bosonic modes immersed in a thermal reservoir, in the framework of the theory of open systems based on completely positive quantum dynamical semigroups. The evolution of entanglement is described in terms of the covariance matrix for Gaussian initial states. We calculate the logarithmic negativity and show that for separable initial squeezed thermal states entanglement generation may take place, for definite values of squeezing parameter, average photon numbers, temperature of the thermal bath, dissipation constant and the strength of interaction between the two modes. After its generation one can observe temporary suppressions and revivals of the entanglement. For entangled initial squeezed thermal states, entanglement suppression takes place, for all temperatures of the reservoir, and temporary revivals and suppressions of entanglement can be observed too. In the limit of infinite time the system evolves asymptotically to an equilibrium state which may be entangled or separable.