Efficient parallel algorithms for tree-decomposition and related problems

An efficient parallel algorithm for the tree-decomposition problem for fixed width w is presented. The algorithm runs in time O(log/sup 3/ n) and uses O(n) processors on a concurrent-read, concurrent-write parallel random access machine (CRCW PRAM). This result can be used to construct efficient parallel algorithms for three important classes of problems: MS (monadic second-order) properties, linear EMS (extended monadic second-order) extremum problems, and enumeration problems for MS properties, for graphs of tree width at most w. The sequential time complexity of the tree-composition problem for fixed w is improved, and some implications for this improvement are stated.<>