Convolution and Concurrency

Abstract

We show how concurrent quantales and concurrent Kleene algebras arise as convolution algebras $Q^X$ of functions from structures $X$ with two ternary relations that satisfy relational interchange laws into concurrent quantales or Kleene algebras $Q$. The elements of $Q$ can be understood as weights; the case $Q=\bool$ corresponds to a powerset lifting. We develop a correspondence theory between relational properties in $X$ and algebraic properties in $Q$ and $Q^X$ in the sense of modal and substructural logics, and boolean algebras with operators. As examples, we construct the concurrent quantales and Kleene algebras of $Q$-weighted words, digraphs, posets, isomorphism classes of finite digraphs and pomsets.