We derive exact time evolution of three two-level atoms coupled to a common environment. The environment is structured and is modeled by a leaky cavity with Lorentzian spectral density. The atoms are initially prepared in a generalized $W$ state and later on experience pairwise dipole-dipole interactions and couplings to the cavity. We study tripartite disentangling and entangling dynamics as well as protecting bipartite entanglement with both atom-atom interactions and atom-cavity couplings taken simultaneously into account.

• Received 20 June 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.84.022329