Topological entropy of continuous functions on topological spaces

Adler, Konheim and McAndrew introduced the concept of topological entropy of a continuous mapping for compact dynamical systems. Bowen generalized the concept to non-compact metric spaces, but Walters indicated that Bowen's entropy is metric-dependent. We propose a new definition of topological entropy for continuous mappings oil arbitrary topological spaces (compactness, metrizability, even axioms of separation not necessarily required), investigate fundamental properties of the new entropy, and compare the new entropy with the existing ones. The defined entropy generates that of Adler, Konheim and McAndrew and is metric-independent for metrizable spaces. Yet, it holds various basic properties of Adler, Konheim and McAndrew's entropy, e.g., the entropy of a subsystem is bounded by that of the original system, topologically conjugated systems have a same entropy, the entropy of the induced hyperspace system is larger than or equal to that of the original system, and in particular this new entropy coincides with Adler, Konheim and McAndrew's entropy for compact systems. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.