Running alpha(s) from Landau-gauge gluon and ghost correlations

Abstract

We estimate the running coupling constant of the strong interactions within the nonperturbative framework of lattice QCD in Landau gauge. Our calculation is based on the ghost-gluon vertex which in the particular case of Landau gauge allows for a definition of alpha(s) in a MOM scheme solely in terms of the gluon and ghost dressing functions. As a first step we investigate the zero and two-flavour case and report here on preliminary results.

7 pages, 4 figures. Presented at the XXV International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, July 30 - August 4 2007, Regensburg, Germany