Cristian Valenzuela

We present skeleton-motivated evaluation of QCD observables. The approach can be applied in analytic versions of QCD in certain classes of renormalization schemes. We present two versions of analytic QCD which can be regarded as low-energy modifications of the ``minimal'' analytic QCD and which reproduce the measured value of the semihadronic tau decay ratio r{tau}. Further, we describe an approach of calculating the higher order analytic couplings Ak (k=2,3,...) on the basis of logarithmic derivatives of the analytic coupling A1(Q^2). This approach can be easily applied in any version of analytic QCD. We adjust the free parameters of the afore-mentioned two analytic models in such a way that the skeleton-motivated evaluation reproduces the correct known values of r{tau} and of the Bjorken polarized sum rule (BjPSR) db(Q^2) at a given point (e.g., at Q^2=2 GeV^2). We then evaluate the low-energy behavior of the Adler function dv(Q^2) and the BjPSR db(Q^2) in the afore-mentioned evaluation approach, in the three analytic versions of QCD. We compare with the results obtained in the ``minimal'' analytic QCD and with the evaluation approach of Milton et al. and Shirkov.Comment: 30 pages, 14 eps-figures; v3: parameters of the analytic QCD models M1 and M2 were refined, the numerical results modified accordingly, new paragraph at the end of Sec.II and at the end of Sec.III, discussion of Figs.4 extended, references added; version to appear in PR

Analytic QCD models are those versions of QCD in which the running coupling parameter a(Q2) has the same analytic properties as the spacelike physical quantities, i.e., no singularities in the complex Q2~plane except on the timelike semiaxis. In such models, a(Q2) usually differs from its perturbative analog by power terms $\sim${}($\Lambda${}2/Q2)k for large momenta, introducing thus nonperturbative terms $\sim${}($\Lambda${}2/Q2)k in spacelike physical quantities whose origin is the UV regime. Consequently, it contradicts the ITEP operator product expansion philosophy which states that such terms can come only from the IR regimes. We investigate whether it is possible to construct analytic QCD models which respect the aforementioned ITEP philosophy and, at the same time, reproduce not just the high-energy QCD observables, but also the low-energy ones, among them the well-measured semihadronic $\tau${} decay ratio.

Analytic QCD models are those versions of QCD in which the running coupling parameter a(Q^2) has the same analytic properties as the spacelike physical quantities, i.e., no singularities in the complex Q^2 plane except on the timelike semiaxis. In such models, a(Q^2) usually differs from its perturbative analog by power terms ~(Lambda^2/Q^2)^k for large momenta, introducing thus nonperturbative terms in spacelike physical quantities whose origin is the UV regime. Consequently, it contradicts the ITEP-OPE philosophy which states that such terms can come only from the IR regimes. We investigate whether it is possible to construct analytic QCD models which respect the ITEP-OPE philosophy and, at the same time, reproduce not just the high-energy QCD observables, but also the low-energy ones, among them the well-measured semihadronic tau decay ratio.

The semihadronic tau decay width allows a clean extraction of the strong coupling constant at low energies. We present a modification of the standard ``contour-improved'' method based on a derivative expansion of the Adler function. The new approach has some advantages compared to contour-improved perturbation theory. The renormalization scale dependence is weaker by more than a factor of 2 and the last term of the expansion is reduced by about 10%, while the renormalization scheme dependence remains approximately equal. The extracted QCD coupling at the tau mass scale is by 2% lower than the contour-improved value. We find $\alpha${}s(MZ2)=0.1211\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0010.

We construct models of analytic QCD (i.e.,with the running coupling parameter free of Landau singularities) which address several problems encountered in previous analytic QCD models, among them their incompatibility with the ITEP-OPE philosophy (due to UV power terms) and too low values of the semihadronic tau decay ratio. The starting point of the approach is the construction of appropriate nonperturbative beta functions.

Analytic versions of QCD are those whose coupling alpha_s(Q^2) does not have the unphysical Landau singularities on the space-like axis (-q^2=Q^2 > 0). The coupling is analytic in the entire complex plane except the time-like axis (Q^2 < 0). Such couplings are thus suitable for application of perturbative methods down to energies of order GeV. We present a short review of the activity in the area which started with a seminal paper of Shirkov and Solovtsov ten years ago. Several models for analytic QCD coupling are presented. Strengths and weaknesses of some of these models are pointed out. Further, for such analytic couplings, constructions of the corresponding higher order analytic couplings (the analogs of the higher powers of the perturbative coupling) are outlined, and an approach based on the renormalization group considerations is singled out. Methods of evaluation of the leading-twist part of space-like observables in such analytic frameworks are described. Such methods are applicable also to the inclusive time-like observables. Two analytic models are outlined which respect the ITEP Operator Product Expansion philosophy, and thus allow for an evaluation of higher-twist contributions to observables.