Classical correlation, quantum discord and entanglement for two-qubit system subject to heat bath

Classical correlation (CC), quantum discord (QD) and entanglement (QE) of two qubits in one-side and two-side decoherence models are investigated. The sudden change of quantum discord (DSC) as well as classical correlation and sudden death of entanglement (ESD) are found. It is proved that QE (QD) presents no sudden change (sudden death). We prove that, for nonzero occupation number of the reservoir, QE must suffer sudden death; For zero occupation number and X-form initial states, we obtain the states which are robust and the states which experience sudden death. It is verified that if DSC and ESD occur under one-side decoherence, then it must appear in the two-side decoherence, while the reverse does not hold. We obtain the boundaries of CC-QE plane and QD-QE plane, and give the state possessing maximal amount of CC (QD) for a given amount of QE.

Research Highlights
► Analytical expressions for quantum discord of the X-form states are derived.
► The comparison between one-side decoherence and two-side decoherence is made.
► Any state undergoes entanglement sudden death at reservoir temperature T>0.
► Quantum discord suffers sudden change for some initial states.