Entanglement dynamics of multi-level atoms embedded in photonic crystals: Leveraging resonant dipole-dipole interactions and quantum interference
Phys. Rev. A 113, 043728 – Published 23 April, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/pr2d-7pcv
Abstract
We present a comprehensive investigation of entanglement dynamics in multi-level V-type atomic systems embedded within photonic crystals (PCs). We mainly focus on the synergistic roles of resonant dipole-dipole interactions (RDDIs) and quantum interference through analytical modeling and numerical simulations using the Schrödinger equation. Key findings reveal that resonant interaction dominates when the interatomic distance is comparable with the localization length of photon-atom bound states lying in the band gap region. For atoms with antiparallel dipole orientations, both initially entangled and separable states exhibit robust entanglement preservation due to strong collective interactions. Conversely, when dipoles are oriented orthogonally, initially entangled states exhibit unique oscillatory patterns in their entanglement dynamics. This effect arises from the formation of dark states due to destructive interference within the structured photonic environment, with RDDIs sustaining non-Markovian dynamics. We further demonstrate that positioning the atomic excited states deeper within the photonic band gap accelerates the decay of entanglement oscillations due to the exponential suppression of resonant energy exchange mediated by evanescent modes. Our analysis establishes RDDIs and quantum interference as potential tools for tailoring entanglement dynamics, paving the way for controlled quantum coherence in PC platforms.
