Status of the Lattice and Tau Decay Determinations of alpha_s

Abstract

The two highest precision determinations of alpha_s(M_Z^2), that based on the analysis of short-distance-sensitive lattice observables, and that based on an analysis of hadronic tau decay data, have, until very recently, given results which are not in good agreement. I review new versions of these analyses which bring the two determinations into excellent agreement, and discuss prospects for additional future improvements.

Prepared for the Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Quarks and Nuclear Physics, Beijing, China, Sept. 21-26, 2009

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