Generalization of Modular Spread Complexity for Non-Hermitian Density Matrices

Abstract

In this work we generalize the concept of modular spread complexity to the cases where the reduced density matrix is non-Hermitian. This notion of complexity and associated Lanczos coefficients contain richer information than the pseudo-entropy, which turns out to be one of the first Lanczos coefficients. We also define the quantity pseudo-capacity which generalizes capacity of entanglement, and corresponds to the early modular-time measure of pseudo-modular complexity. We describe how pseudo-modular complexity can be calculated using a slightly modified bi-Lanczos algorithm. Alternatively, the (complex) Lanczos coefficients can also be obtained from the analytic expression of the pseudo-R\'enyi entropy, which can then be used to calculate the pseudo-modular spread complexity. We show some analytical calculations for 2-level systems and 4-qubit models and then do numerical investigations on the quantum phase transition of transverse field Ising model, from the (pseudo) modular spread complexity perspective. As the final example, we consider the $3d$ Chern-Simon gauge theory with Wilson loops to understand the role of topology on modular complexity. The concept of pseudo-modular complexity introduced here can be a useful tool for understanding phases and phase transitions in quantum many body systems, quantum field theories and holography.