Dynamics and quantum correlations in two independently driven Rydberg atoms with distinct laser fields

Abstract

We study the population dynamics in a two-atom setup in which each atom is driven independently by different light fields, but coupling the same Rydberg state. In particular, we look at how an offset in the Rabi frequencies between two atoms affects the dynamics. We find novel features such as amplifying the Rabi frequency of one atom, together with strong Rydberg-Rydberg interactions freezes the dynamics in the second atom. We analyze this Rydberg-biased freezing phenomenon in detail, with effective Hamiltonians obtained for various limits of the system parameters. In the absence of Rabi-offset, the doubly excited state population exhibits a Lorentzian profile as a function of interaction, whereas for very small offsets it shows splitting and thus peaks. Using an effective Hamiltonian, as well as the perturbation theory in the weak interaction limit, we show that the peak arises from a competition between Rabi-offset and Rydberg-Rydberg interactions when both are sufficiently small, together with the Rydberg blockade at large interactions. The effective Hamiltonians provide us with analytical results for long time dynamics, which are in an excellent agreement with exact numerical solutions. Also, we analyze the growth and the dynamics of quantum correlations such as entanglement entropy/quantum discord for the coherent dynamics. Finally, we extend our studies to the dissipative case in which the spontaneous emission from the Rydberg state is taken into account and in particular, we look at how the Rabi-offset modifies the purity and quantum discord in the steady states. We conclude that the local manipulation of an atom by introducing a Rabi-offset can be a useful tool to control the quantum correlations and in general, the quantum states of the composite two-qubit systems. © 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd.