Solving differential equations for 3-loop diagrams: relation to hyperbolic geometry and knot theory

Abstract

In hep-th/9805025, a result for the symmetric 3-loop massive tetrahedron in 3 dimensions was found, using the lattice algorithm PSLQ. Here we give a more general formula, involving 3 distinct masses. A proof is devised, though it cannot be accounted as a derivation; rather it certifies that an Ansatz found by PSLQ satisfies a more easily derived pair of partial differential equations. The result is similar to Schl\"afli's formula for the volume of a bi-rectangular hyperbolic tetrahedron, revealing a novel connection between 3-loop diagrams and 1-loop boxes. We show that each reduces to a common basis: volumes of ideal tetrahedra, corresponding to 1-loop massless triangle diagrams. Ideal tetrahedra are also obtained when evaluating the volume complementary to a hyperbolic knot. In the case that the knot is positive, and hence implicated in field theory, ease of ideal reduction correlates with likely appearance in counterterms. Volumes of knots relevant to the number content of multi-loop diagrams are evaluated; as the loop number goes to infinity, we obtain the hyperbolic volume of a simple 1-loop box.