Steady-State Discord Between Two Qubits Coupled Collectively to a Thermal Reservoir

We study the dynamics of quantum discord between two qubits coupled collectively to a thermal reservoir. For comparison, we also consider the dynamics of quantum entanglement. It is shown that we can obtain a stable quantum discord induced by the thermal environment when the discord of the initial state is zero. The thermal environment can also induce a stable amplification of the initially prepared quantum discord for certain X-type states. It is very valuable that the quantum discord is more resistant against the thermal environment than quantum entanglement. And, we have demonstrated that the sudden death of discord in a Markovian regime is impossible even at high temperature. It provides us a feasible way to create and protect quantum correlation in the case of a high-temperature thermal environment for various physical system such as trapped ions, quantum dots or Josephson junctions.