Invariant correlational entropy and complexity of quantum states

We define correlational ~von Neumann! entropy for an individual quantum state of a system whose timeindependent Hamiltonian contains random parameters and is treated as a member of a statistical ensemble. This entropy is representation independent, and can be calculated as a trace functional of the density matrix which describes the system in its interaction with the noise source. We analyze perturbation theory in order to show the evolution from the pure state to the mixed one. Exactly solvable examples illustrate the use of correlational entropy as a measure of the degree of complexity in comparison with other available suggestions such as basis-dependent information entropy. It is shown in particular that a harmonic oscillator in a uniform field of random strength comes to a quasithermal equilibrium; we discuss the relation between effective temperature and canonical equilibrium temperature. The notion of correlational entropy is applied to a realistic numerical calculation in the framework of the nuclear shell model. In this system, which reveals generic signatures of quantum chaos, correlational entropy and information entropy calculated in the mean field basis display similar qualitative behavior. @S1063-651X~98!09207-1#