Influence of an external magnetic field on the decoherence of a central spin coupled to an antiferromagnetic environment

Abstract

Using the spin wave approximation, we study the decoherence dynamics of a central spin coupled to an antiferromagnetic environment under the application of an external global magnetic field. The external magnetic field affects the decoherence process through its effect on the antiferromagnetic environment. It is shown explicitly that the decoherence factor which displays a Gaussian decay with time depends on the strength of the external magnetic field and the crystal anisotropy field in the antiferromagnetic environment. When the strength of the external magnetic field is increased to the critical field point at which the spin–flop transition (a first-order quantum phase transition) happens in the antiferromagnetic environment, the decoherence of the central spin reaches its highest point. This result is consistent with several recent quantum phase transition witness studies. The influences of the environmental temperature on the decoherence behaviour of the central spin are also investigated.