Quasi-symmetric functions and the Chow ring of the stack of expanded pairs

Abstract: We show that the Hopf algebra of quasi-symmetric functions arises naturally as the integral Chow ring of the algebraic stack of expanded pairs originally described by J. Li, using a more combinatorial description in terms of configurations of line bundles. In particular, we exhibit a gluing map which gives rise to the comultiplication. We then apply the result to calculate the Chow rings of certain stacks of semistable curves.