Dynamics of quantum correlations and linear entropy in a multi-qubit-cavity system

We present a theoretical study of the relationship between entanglement and entropy in multi-qubit quantum optical systems. Specifically we investigate quantitative relations between the concurrence and linear entropy for a two-qubit mixed system, implemented as two two-level atoms interacting with a single-mode cavity field. The dynamical evolutions of the entanglement and entropy, are controlled via time-dependent cavity-atom couplings. Our theoretical findings lead us to propose an alternative measure of entanglement, which could be used to develop a much needed correlation measure for more general multi-partite quantum systems.Comment: New discussions on the generality of entanglement-entropy relationship, one new reference, and other minor changes. 10 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in J.Opt. B: "Special Issue on Fluctuations & Noise in Photonics & Quantum Optics.

Vibronic Coupling as a Design Principle to Optimize Photosynthetic Energy Transfer

In this issue of Chem, Dean et al. report on observations of vibronic enhancement to energy transfer in the cryptophyte algae light-harvesting complex PC645 by using two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy

Restrictions on the coherence of the ultrafast optical emission from an electron-hole pairs condensate

We report on the transfer of coherence from a quantum-well electron-hole condensate to the light it emits. As a function of density, the coherence of the electron-hole pair system evolves from being full for the low density Bose-Einstein condensate to a chaotic behavior for a high density BCS-like state. This degree of coherence is transfered to the light emitted in a damped oscillatory way in the ultrafast regime. Additionally, the photon field exhibits squeezing properties during the transfer time. We analyze the effect of light frequency and separation between electron and hole layers on the optical coherence. Our results suggest new type of ultrafast experiments for detecting electron-hole pair condensation.Comment: 4 pages,3 figures, to be published in Physical Review Letters. Minor change

Transient synchronisation and quantum coherence in a bio-inspired vibronic dimer

Synchronisation is a collective phenomenon widely investigated in classical oscillators and, more recently, in quantum systems. However it remains unclear what features distinguish synchronous behaviour in these two scenarios. Recent works have shown that investigating synchronisation dynamics in open quantum systems can give insight into this issue. Here we study transient synchronisation in a bio-inspired vibronic dimer, where electronic excitation dynamics is mediated by coherent interactions with intramolecular vibrational modes. We show that the synchronisation dynamics of local mode displacements exhibit a rich behaviour which arises directly from the distinct time-evolutions of different vibronic quantum coherences. Furthermore, our study shows that coherent energy transport in this bio-inspired system is concomitant with the emergence of positive synchronisation between mode displacements. Our work provides further understanding of the relations between quantum coherence and synchronisation in open quantum systems and suggests an interesting role for coherence in biomolecules, that of promoting synchronisation of vibrational motions driven out of thermal equilibrium

Generation of three-qubit entangled states using coupled multi-quantum dots

We discuss a mechanism for generating a maximum entangled state (GHZ) in a coupled quantum dots system, based on analytical techniques. The reliable generation of such states is crucial for implementing solid-state based quantum information schemes. The signature originates from a remarkably weak field pulse or a far off-resonance effects which could be implemented using technology that is currently being developed. The results are illustrated with an application to a specific wide-gap semiconductor quantum dots system, like Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) based quantum dots.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure

Maximally entangled mixed states of two atoms trapped inside an optical cavity

In some off-resonant cases, the reduced density matrix of two atoms symmetrically coupled with an optical cavity can very approximately approach to maximally entangled mixed states or maximal Bell violation mixed states in their evolution. The influence of phase decoherence on the generation of maximally entangled mixed state is also discussed. PACS numbers: 03.67.-a, 03.65.UdComment: 7 pages, 4 figures, Latex, have a major revision of content

Strong Quantum Darwinism and Strong Independence are Equivalent to Spectrum Broadcast Structure

How the objective everyday world emerges from the underlying quantum behavior of its microscopic constituents is an open question at the heart of the foundations of quantum mechanics. Quantum Darwinism and spectrum broadcast structure are two different frameworks providing key insight into this question. Recent works, however, indicate these two frameworks can lead to conflicting predictions on the objectivity of the state of a system interacting with an environment. Here, we provide a resolution to this issue by defining strong quantum Darwinism and proving that it is equivalent to spectrum broadcast structure when combined with strong independence of the subenvironments. We further show that strong quantum Darwinism is sufficient and necessary to signal state objectivity without the requirement of strong independence. Our Letter unveils the deep connection between strong quantum Darwinism and spectrum broadcast structure, thereby making fundamental progress toward understanding and solving the emergence of classicality from the quantum world. Together they provide us a sharper understanding of the transition in terms of state structure, geometry, and quantum and classical information

Objectivity (or lack thereof): Comparison between predictions of quantum Darwinism and spectrum broadcast structure

Quantum Darwinism and spectrum broadcast structure describe the emergence of objectivity in quantum systems. However, it is unclear whether these two frameworks lead to consistent predictions on the objectivity of the state of a quantum system in a given scenario. In this paper, we jointly investigate quantum Darwinism and spectrum broadcasting, as well as the subdivision of quantum Darwinism into accessible information and quantum discord, in a two-level system interacting with an N-level environment via a random matrix coupling. We propose a partial trace method to suitably and consistently partition the effective N-level environment and compare the predictions with those obtained using the partitioning method proposed by Perez [Phys. Rev. A 81, 052326 (2010)]. We find that quantum Darwinism can apparently emerge under the Perez trace even when spectrum broadcast structure does not emerge, and the majority of the quantum mutual information between system and environment fractions is in fact quantum in nature. This work therefore shows there can be discrepancies between quantum Darwinism and the nature of information and spectrum broadcast structure

Non-classicality of the molecular vibrations assisting exciton energy transfer at room temperature

Advancing the debate on quantum effects in light-initiated reactions in biology requires clear identification of non-classical features that these processes can exhibit and utilize. Here we show that in prototype dimers present in a variety of photosynthetic antennae, efficient vibration-assisted energy transfer in the sub-picosecond timescale and at room temperature can manifest and benefit from non-classical fluctuations of collective pigment motions. Non-classicality of initially thermalized vibrations is induced via coherent exciton-vibration interactions and is unambiguously indicated by negativities in the phase-space quasi-probability distribution of the effective collective mode coupled to the electronic dynamics. These quantum effects can be prompted upon incoherent input of excitation. Our results therefore suggest that investigation of the non-classical properties of vibrational motions assisting excitation and charge transport, photoreception and chemical sensing processes could be a touchstone for revealing a role for non-trivial quantum phenomena in biology