We propose several robust schemes to prepare entangled states among spatially separated $\Lambda$-type atoms via stimulated Raman adiabatic passage and fractional stimulated Raman adiabatic passage techniques. The atomic spontaneous radiation, the cavity decay, and the fiber loss are efficiently suppressed by engineering adiabatic passage and controlling appropriately atom-field couplings. The schemes can be extended to generate the $n$-cavity mode $W$ state.

• Received 11 September 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.76.062304