Determination of alpha_s from the QCD static energy: an update

TL;DR

This paper updates the determination of the strong coupling constant alpha_s using QCD static energy, incorporating new lattice data, improved perturbative methods, and detailed error analysis, resulting in a refined alpha_s value at the Z-boson mass scale.

Contribution

The study provides an improved and more precise determination of alpha_s from lattice QCD data, including new data and better theoretical comparisons.

Findings

Updated alpha_s(M_Z)=0.1166^{+0.0012}_{-0.0008}

Inclusion of new lattice data at smaller spacings and shorter distances

Comprehensive error estimation enhances result reliability

Abstract

We present an update of our determination of the strong coupling alpha_s from the quantum chromodynamics static energy. This updated analysis includes new lattice data, at smaller lattice spacings and reaching shorter distances, the use of better suited perturbative expressions to compare with data in a wider distance range, and a comprehensive and detailed estimate of the error sources that contribute to the uncertainty of the final result. Our updated value for alpha_s at the Z-mass scale, M_Z, is alpha_s(M_Z)=0.1166^{+0.0012}_{-0.0008}, which supersedes our previous result.