Precision charm physics, m_c and alpha_s from lattice QCD

Abstract

We present an update of results from the HPQCD collaboration on charm physics using the Highly Improved Staggered Quark action. This includes a precise determination of m_c using moments of current-current correlators combined with high-order continuum QCD perturbation theory. We also include an update on the determination of alpha_s from lattice QCD, preliminary results on the determination of m_b and a summary plot of the status of the gold-plated meson spectrum. There is an appendix on tackling systematic errors in fitting using the Bayesian approach.

Comments: 14 pages, 7 figures, combined proceedings of talks by Christine Davies and Peter Lepage at the International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory 2008, Williamsburg