Propagation of nonclassical correlations across a quantum spin chain

S Campbell, TJG Apollaro, C Di Franco, L Banchi… - Physical Review A …, 2011 - APS
S Campbell, TJG Apollaro, C Di Franco, L Banchi, A Cuccoli, R Vaia, F Plastina
Physical Review A—Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics, 2011APS
We study the transport of quantum correlations across a chain of interacting spin-1/2
particles. As a quantitative figure of merit, we choose a symmetric version of quantum
discord and compare it with the transported entanglement, addressing various operating
regimes of the spin medium. Discord turns out to be better transported for a wide range of
working points and initial conditions of the system. We relate this behavior to the efficiency of
propagation of a single excitation across the spin chain. Moreover, we point out the role …
We study the transport of quantum correlations across a chain of interacting spin- particles. As a quantitative figure of merit, we choose a symmetric version of quantum discord and compare it with the transported entanglement, addressing various operating regimes of the spin medium. Discord turns out to be better transported for a wide range of working points and initial conditions of the system. We relate this behavior to the efficiency of propagation of a single excitation across the spin chain. Moreover, we point out the role played by a magnetic field in the dynamics of discord in the effective channel embodied by the chain. Our analysis can be interestingly extended to transport processes in more complex networks and the study of nonclassical correlations under general quantum channels.
American Physical Society