Controllable quantum correlations of two-photon states generated using classically driven three-level atoms

We investigate the dynamics of two-photon correlations generated by the interaction of a three-level atom in the Ξ,Λ or V configuration, with two classical external driving fields, under the rotating-wave approximation, in the presence of level decays. Using the example of a rubidium atom in each configuration, with field strengths validating the single-photon approximation, we compute measurement-based correlations, such as measurement induced disturbance (MID), quantum discord (QD), and quantum work deficit (WD), and compare the results with that from quantum entanglement (concurrence). Certain correlation properties observed are generic, model independent and consistent with known results, e.g., MID is an upper bound on QD, QD and WD are monotonic, and the generic correlation behavior is strongly affected by the purity of the photon states. We observe that the qualitative hierarchy, monotonicity and steady-state behavior of the correlations can be controlled through the choice of parameters such as atomic decay constants and external driving field strengths. We point out how particular configurations are better suited to generating monotonic correlations in specific regimes and how the steady-state correlation behavior and hierarchy are affected by the population dynamics of the density matrix for different parameters. The possibility of using well studied quantum optical systems such as the three-level atom to generate, characterize and parametrically control mixed state quantum correlations establishes an important step in the direction of their implementation in quantum information tasks.

► A three-level atom (Ξ,Λ or V configuration) plus two classical fields considered with level decays.
► Generation of experimentally realizable mixed, correlated two-photon quantum states.
► Two-photon correlation dynamics controlled using atomic and field parameters.
► Characterized monotonicity, hierarchy and steady-state behavior of correlations.
► A model possibly serving as a tool for the generation and manipulation of quantum correlations.