The static QCD potential in coordinate space with quark masses through two loops

Abstract

The potential between infinitely heavy quarks in a color singlet state is of fundamental importance in QCD. While the confining long distance part is inherently non-perturbative, the short-distance (Coulomb-like) regime is accessible through perturbative means. In this paper we present new results of the short distance potential in coordinate space with quark masses through two loops. The results are given in explicit form based on reconstructed solutions in momentum space in the Euclidean regime. Thus, a comparison with lattice results in the overlap region between the perturbative and non-perturbative regime is now possible with massive quarks. We also discuss the definition of the strong coupling based on the force between the static sources.