Quantum Entanglement in a System of Two Spatially Separated Atoms Coupled to the Thermal Reservoir

We study quantum entanglement between two spatially separated atoms coupled to the thermal reservoir. The influences of the initial state of the system, the atomic frequency difference and the mean number of the thermal field on the entanglement are examined. The results show that the maximum of the entanglement obtained with nonidentical atoms is greater than that obtained with identical atoms. The degree of entanglement is progressively decreased with the increase of the thermal noise. Interestingly, the two atoms can be easily entangled even when the two atoms are initially prepared in the most mixed states.