A Computable Gaussian Quantum Correlation for Continuous-Variable Systems

Generally speaking, it is difficult to compute the values of the Gaussian quantum discord and Gaussian geometric discord for Gaussian states, which limits their application. In the present paper, for any (n+m)-mode continuous-variable system, a computable Gaussian quantum correlation M is proposed. For any state ρAB of the system, M(ρAB) depends only on the covariant matrix of ρAB without any measurements performed on a subsystem or any optimization procedures, and thus is easily computed. Furthermore, M has the following attractive properties: (1) M is independent of the mean of states, is symmetric about the subsystems and has no ancilla problem; (2) M is locally Gaussian unitary invariant; (3) for a Gaussian state ρAB, M(ρAB)=0 if and only if ρAB is a product state; and (4) 0≤M((ΦA⊗ΦB)ρAB)≤M(ρAB) holds for any Gaussian state ρAB and any Gaussian channels ΦA and ΦB performed on the subsystem A and B, respectively. Therefore, M is a nice Gaussian correlation which describes the same Gaussian correlation as Gaussian quantum discord and Gaussian geometric discord when restricted on Gaussian states. As an application of M, a noninvasive quantum method for detecting intracellular temperature is proposed.