Iterated Integrals and Multiple Polylogarithm at Algebraic Arguments

Abstract

By introducing a generalized notion of multiple zeta values associated with an arbitrary finite subset $S\subset \mathbb{P}^1(\mathbb{C})$ and studying their transformation properties under rational functions, we show that multiple polylogarithms evaluated at roots of unity (cyclotomic multiple zeta values, CMZVs) can be equivalently expressed in terms of iterated integrals involving certain non-roots of unity. We apply this theory to elucidate previously unknown $\mathbb{Q}$-linear relations among CMZVs: they come from nontrivial solutions of certain $S$-unit equations in the function field of $\mathbb{P}^1(\mathbb{C})$, thereby attaining the motivic dimension for low level and weight. We introduce a datamine of CMZVs that appears to be the first rigorous compilation of this kind in the literature. In addition, we formulate several nontrivial Galois descent conjectures for multiple polylogarithms and present applications to certain Ap\'ery-type infinite series.