Characterization of Quantum and Classical Critical Points for an Integrable Two-Qubit Spin–Boson Model

Abstract

The class of two-interacting-qubit spin–boson models with vanishing transverse fields on the spin-pair is studied. The model can be mapped exactly into two independent standard single-impurity spin–boson models where the role of the tunneling parameter is played by the spin–spin coupling. The dynamics of the magnetization are analyzed for different levels of (an)isotropy. The existence of a decoherence-free subspace, as well as of different classical regimes separated by a critical temperature, and symptoms of quantum (first-order and Kosterlitz–Thouless type) phase transitions in the Ohmic regime are brought to light.

Keywords

• open quantum systems
• spin–boson model
• interacting qubits
• quantum phase transitions