Precision determination of alpha(mZ) from thrust data
Michael Fickinger
Univ. of Arizona
An extraction of the strong coupling constant, alphaS, from thrust data using Effective Field Theory techniques will be presented. Our calculation yields one of the most precise measurements of alphaS to date. Our work will also be used to illustrate some of the nice features of Effective Theories, specifically Soft Collinear Effective Theory (SCET). SCET can be used to sun large logarithms and therefore improve the convergence of perturbative series. Furthermore, the effect of non-perturbative physics on our analysis will be explored.