Asymptotic entanglement in open quantum systems

Abstract

In the framework of the theory of open systems based on completely positive quantum dynamical semigroups, we solve in the asymptotic long-time regime the master equation for two independent harmonic oscillators interacting with an environment. We give a description of the continuous-variable asymptotic entanglement in terms of the covariance matrix of the considered subsystem for an arbitrary Gaussian input state. Using Peres--Simon necessary and sufficient condition for separability of two-mode Gaussian states, we show that for certain classes of environments the initial state evolves asymptotically to an entangled equilibrium bipartite state, while for other values of the coefficients describing the environment, the asymptotic state is separable. We calculate also the logarithmic negativity characterizing the degree of entanglement of the asymptotic state.