Enhancement of non-equilibrium thermal quantum discord and entanglement of a three-spin XX chain by multi-spin interaction and external magnetic field

We investigate the non-equilibrium thermal quantum discord and entanglement of a three-spin chain whose two end spins are respectively coupled to two thermal reservoirs at different temperatures. In the three-spin chain, besides the XX-type nearest-neighbor two-spin interaction, a multi-spin interaction is also considered and a homogenous magnetic field is applied to each spin. We show that the extreme steady-state quantum discord and entanglement of the two end spins can always be created by holding both a large magnetic field and a strong multi-spin interaction. The results are explained by the thermal excitation depression due to switching a large energy gap between the ground state and the first excited state. The present investigation may provide a useful approach to control coupling between a quantum system and its environment.