Quantum correlation dynamics of a three-qubit XXZ spin chain with spin–orbit coupling in the presence of intrinsic decoherence

We study on the quantum correlation dynamics of a three-qubit Heisenberg XXZ spin chain with spin–orbit coupling under the intrinsic decoherence. Mixed Werner state is assumed to be an initial state and the system evolves according to the exact Milburn’s equation, not to the approximate one. The time evolution of the density matrix is calculated accurately, based on a new method other than the ones used in previous studies which studied intrinsic decoherence in two-qubit systems. We use the concurrence and quantum discord as computational measures to investigate the effects of various parameters on quantum correlations. It is shown that quantum correlation characteristics are irrespective of whether the system is ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic. In contrast to Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction, Kaplan–Shekhtman–Entin-Wohlman–Aharony interaction can be used to modify the frequency of quantum correlations. In general, under the intrinsic decoherence, quantum discord is more robust than entanglement, but it is possible to manipulate the anisotropic parameter to overcome decoherence and maintain the entanglement stably.