Single-valued integration and superstring amplitudes

The classical theory of integration concern integrals of differential forms over domains of integration. In geometric terms, this corresponds to a canonical pairing between de Rham cohomology and singular homology. For varieties defined over the reals, one can make use of complex conjugation to define a real-valued pairing between de Rham cohomology and its dual, de Rham homology. The corresponding theory of integration, that we call single-valued integration, pairs a differential form with a `dual differential form’. We will explain how single-valued periods are computed and give an application to superstring amplitudes in genus zero. This is joint work with Francis Brown.