A semi-canonical reduction for periods of Kontsevich-Zagier

Abstract

The ${\overline{\mathbb Q}}$-algebra of periods was introduced by Kontsevich and Zagier as complex numbers whose real and imaginary parts are values of absolutely convergent integrals of ${\mathbb Q}$-rational functions over ${\mathbb Q}$-semi-algebraic domains in ${\mathbb R}^d$. The Kontsevich-Zagier period conjecture affirms that any two different integral expressions of a given period are related by a finite sequence of transformations only using three rules respecting the rationality of the functions and domains: additions of integrals by integrands or domains, change of variables and Stokes formula. In this paper, we prove that every non-zero real period can be represented as the volume of a compact ${\overline{\mathbb Q}}\cap{\mathbb R}$-semi-algebraic set, obtained from any integral representation by an effective algorithm satisfying the rules allowed by the Kontsevich-Zagier period conjecture.