Precision tests of the J/ψ from full lattice QCD: mass, leptonic width and radiative decay rate to η_c

Abstract

We calculate the J/ψ mass, leptonic width and radiative decay rate to γη_c from lattice QCD including u, d and s quarks in the sea for the first time. We use the Highly Improved Staggered Quark formalism and nonperturbatively normalised vector currents for the leptonic and radiative decay rates. Our results are: M_{J/ψ} -M_{η_c} = 116.5(3.2) MeV; Γ(J/ψ to e^+e^-) = 5.48(16) keV; Γ(J/ψ to γη_c) = 2.49(19) keV. The first two are in good agreement with experiment, with Γ(J/ψ to e^+e^-) providing a test of a decay matrix element in QCD, independent of CKM uncertainties, to 2%. At the same time results for the time moments of the correlation function can be compared to values from the charm contribution to Γ(e^+e^- to hadrons), giving a 1.5% test of QCD. Our results show that an improved experimental error would enable a similarly strong test from Γ(J/ψ to γη_c).

20 pages, 16 figures. Added some text plus a figure and two tables comparing the time moments of the charmonium vector correlator to results extracted from experiment for the charm contribution to e^+e^- -> hadrons. This allows a 1.5% test of QCD. Further minor amendments to the text. Version accepted for publication by Physical Review D