Quantum entanglement in a four-partite hybrid system containing three macroscopic subsystems

Abstract

The combination of different quantum systems may allow the exploration of the distinctive features of each system for the investigation of fundamental phenomena as well as for quantum technologies. In this work we consider a setup consisting of an atomic ensemble enclosed within a laser-driven optomechanical cavity, having the moving mirror further (capacitively) coupled to a low frequency LC circuit. This constitutes a four-partite optoelectromechanical quantum system containing three macroscopic quantum subsystems of a different nature, viz, the atomic ensemble, the massive mirror and the LC circuit. The quantized cavity field plays the role of an auxiliary system that allows the coupling of two other quantum subsystems. We show that for experimentally achievable parameters, it is possible to generate steady state bipartite Gaussian entanglement between pairs of macroscopic systems. In particular, we find under which conditions it is possible to obtain a reasonable amount of entanglement between the atomic ensemble and the LC circuit, systems that might be suitable for constituting a quantum memory and for quantum processing, respectively. For complementarity, we discuss the effect of the environmental temperature on quantum entanglement.