We construct a model which describes a recently performed experiment (Phys. Rev. A 64, 050301(R) (2001)) in which an entangled state between two modes of a single cavity is built.Environmental effects are taken into account and the results agree with the experimental findings.Moreover the model predicts, for different conditions of the same experiment, a decoherence-free subspace. These conditions are analyzed and slightly different experiments suggested in order to test its viability.

We investigate the role of the cross decay rates in a system composed by two electromagnetic modes interacting with the same reservoir. Two feasible experiments sensitive to the magnitudes and phases of these rates are described. We show that if the cross decay rates are appreciable there are states less exposed to decoherence and dissipation, and in limit situations a decoherence free subspace appears.

We give a detailed account of the derivation of a master equation for two coupled cavities in the presence of dissipation. The analytical solution is presented and physical limits of interest are discussed. Firstly we show that the decay rate of initial coherent states can be significantly modified if the two cavities have different decay rates and are weakly coupled through a wire. Moreover, we show that also decoherence rates can be substantially altered by manipulation of physical parameters. Conditions for experimental realizations are discussed.

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We model a feasible experiment involving two interacting microwave cavities with very different quality factors. An excitation is initially present in the high Q cavity. Modeling the environment as linearly coupled oscillators, we find a Zeno-like behavior which should occur when the dissipation constant is large enough as compared to the unitary coupling.