On $L$-derivatives and biextensions of Calabi-Yau motives

Abstract: We prove that certain differential operators of the form $DLD$ with $L$ hypergeometric and $D=z \frac{d}{dz}$ are of Picard-Fuchs type. We give closed hypergeometric expressions for minors of the biextension period matrices that arise from certain rank 4 weight 3 Calabi-Yau motives presumed to be of analytic rank 1. We compare their values numerically to the first derivative of the $L$-functions of the respective motives at $s=2$.