Quantum interference induced by initial system–environment correlations

We investigate the quantum interference induced by a relative phase in the correlated initial state of a system which consists in a two-level atom interacting with a damped mode of the radiation field. We show that the initial relative phase has significant effects on both the evolution of the atomic excited-state population and the information flow between the atom and the reservoir, as quantified by the trace distance. Furthermore, by considering two two-level atoms interacting with a common damped mode of the radiation field, we highlight how initial relative phases can affect the subsequent entanglement dynamics.

► We study the effect of initial correlations in system–bath excitation transfer. ► We study the information flow from the bath to the system via the trace distance. ► We show how entanglement dynamics can be controlled via initial relative phases.