A simplifying feature of the heterotic one loop four graviton amplitude

Abstract

We show that the weight four modular graph functions that contribute to the integrand of the t_8 t_8 D^4 R^4 term at one loop in heterotic string theory do not require regularization, and hence the integrand is simple. This is unlike the graphs that contribute to the integrands of the other gravitational terms at this order in the low momentum expansion, and these integrands require regularization. This property persists for an infinite number of terms in the effective action, and their integrands do not require regularization. We find non--trivial relations between weight four graphs of distinct topologies that do not require regularization by performing trivial manipulations using auxiliary diagrams.