Closed Superstring Amplitudes, Single-Valued Multiple Zeta Values and Deligne Associator

Abstract: We revisit the tree-level closed superstring amplitude and identify its alpha'-expansion as series with single-valued multiple zeta values as coefficients. The latter represent a subclass of multiple zeta values originating from single-valued multiple polylogarithms at unity. Moreover, the alpha'-expansion of the closed superstring amplitude can be cast into the same algebraic form as the open superstring amplitude: the closed superstring amplitude essentially is the single-valued version of the open superstring amplitude. This fact points into a deeper connection between gauge and gravity amplitudes than what is implied by Kawai-Lewellen-Tye relations. Furthermore, we argue, that the Deligne associator carries the relevant information on the closed superstring amplitude. In particular, we give an explicit representation of the Deligne associator in terms of Gamma functions modulo squares of commutators of the underlying Lie algebra. This form of the associator can be interpreted as the four-point closed superstring amplitude.