This paper presents a simplified proof of Rabin's Complementation Lemma for tree automata, showing that the propositional Mu-Calculus is expressively equivalent to finite automata on infinite trees. The Mu-Calculus, a modal logic with fixpoint operators, is trivially closed under complementation, which implies that tree automata are also closed under complementation. This equivalence provides a new, straightforward approach to proving the Complementation Lemma, which is central to the decidability of the monadic second-order theory of n successors (SnS).
The paper also demonstrates how the Mu-Calculus can be used to establish the determinacy of infinite games, which are used in the theory of on-line algorithms. The authors show that the Mu-Calculus can be translated into tree automata, and vice versa, establishing a deep connection between modal logic and automata theory. This equivalence allows for a more straightforward proof of the Complementation Lemma, as well as for proving determinacy results in infinite games.
The paper outlines a construction that translates alternating tree automata into nondeterministic tree automata, using known results on the determinization of ω-automata and the forgetful strategy theorem. This construction is crucial for proving the equivalence between the Mu-Calculus and tree automata. The authors also show that the Mu-Calculus can be used to characterize the determinacy of infinite games, providing a simple and effective method for proving various determinacy results.
The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of the Mu-Calculus and tree automata equivalence, highlighting its significance in the broader context of automata theory and modal logic. The results presented provide a new perspective on the relationship between these two areas, offering a more intuitive and simplified approach to understanding and proving key results in the field.This paper presents a simplified proof of Rabin's Complementation Lemma for tree automata, showing that the propositional Mu-Calculus is expressively equivalent to finite automata on infinite trees. The Mu-Calculus, a modal logic with fixpoint operators, is trivially closed under complementation, which implies that tree automata are also closed under complementation. This equivalence provides a new, straightforward approach to proving the Complementation Lemma, which is central to the decidability of the monadic second-order theory of n successors (SnS).
The paper also demonstrates how the Mu-Calculus can be used to establish the determinacy of infinite games, which are used in the theory of on-line algorithms. The authors show that the Mu-Calculus can be translated into tree automata, and vice versa, establishing a deep connection between modal logic and automata theory. This equivalence allows for a more straightforward proof of the Complementation Lemma, as well as for proving determinacy results in infinite games.
The paper outlines a construction that translates alternating tree automata into nondeterministic tree automata, using known results on the determinization of ω-automata and the forgetful strategy theorem. This construction is crucial for proving the equivalence between the Mu-Calculus and tree automata. The authors also show that the Mu-Calculus can be used to characterize the determinacy of infinite games, providing a simple and effective method for proving various determinacy results.
The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of the Mu-Calculus and tree automata equivalence, highlighting its significance in the broader context of automata theory and modal logic. The results presented provide a new perspective on the relationship between these two areas, offering a more intuitive and simplified approach to understanding and proving key results in the field.