The QCD Coupling Parameter Derived from the Uncertainty Principle and a Model for Quark Vacuum Fluctuations

Abstract

The magnitude of the strong interaction is characterized by ${\alpha }_s$, the coupling parameter in Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), a parameter with an unexplained value in the Standard Model. In this paper, a candidate explanation for ${\alpha }_s$ is derived from (1) the lifetime of quark-antiquark pairs in vacuum fluctuations given by the Uncertainty Principle, (2) the variation of ${\alpha }_s$ as a function of energy in QCD, and (3) classical relativistic dynamics of the quarks and antiquarks. A semiclassical model for heavy quark-antiquark vacuum fluctuations is described herein, based on (2) and (3). The model in this paper predicts the measured value of ${\alpha }_s(M_{Z^0})$ to be 0.121, which is in agreement with recent measurements within statistical uncertainties.

Comments: 11 pages, 1 figure