Dynamics of quantum correlation of atoms immersed in a thermal quantum scalar fields with a boundary

In this paper, we study the behaviors of quantum correlation for two atoms immersed in a thermal bath of quantum scalar fields in the presence of a perfectly reflecting plane boundary. We firstly discuss the solving process of master equation that governs the system evolution. Then, we analyze the creation, revival and degradation of quantum correlation for initial zero-correlation state and initial entangled state. Specially, we discuss in detail the evolution of quantum correlation in certain special conditions and models. The distance from the boundary, besides the bath temperature and the interatomic separation, gives us more freedom in controlling the behaviors of quantum correlation. Compared with the sudden death and birth of entanglement, quantum correlation changes more smoothly and thus is more robust than entanglement.