Heavy quark spectroscopy and matrix elements: A lattice study using the static approximation.

We present results of a lattice analysis of the {ital B} parameter {ital B}{sub {ital B}}, the decay constant {ital f}{sub {ital B}}, and several mass splittings using the static approximation. Results were obtained for 60 quenched gauge configurations computed at {beta}=6.2 on a lattice size of 24{sup 3}{times}48. Light quark propagators were calculated using the {ital O}({ital a})-improved Sheikholeslami-Wohlert action. We find {ital B}{sub {ital B}}{sup static}({ital m}{sub {ital b}})=0.69{sub {minus}4}{sup +3}(stat){sub {minus}1}{sup +2} (syst), corresponding to {ital B}{sub {ital B}}{sup static}=1.02{sub {minus}6 {minus}2}{sup +5 +3}, {ital f}{sub {ital B}}{sup static}=266{sub {minus}20 {minus}27}{sup +18 +28} MeV, and {ital f}{sub {ital B}}{sub {ital s}}{sup 2}{ital B}{sub {ital B}}{sub {ital s}}/{ital f}{sub {ital B}}{ital i}{sup 2}{ital B}{sub {ital B}}=1.34{sub {minus}8 {minus}3}{sup +9 +5}, where a variational fitting technique was used to extract {ital f}{sup 2}{sub {ital B{sub s}}}{ital B}{sub {ital B{sub {ital s}}}}{sub B{sup static}}. For the mass splittings we obtain {ital M}{sub {ital B{sub {ital s}}}}{minus}{ital M}{sub {ital B{sub {ital d}}}}=87{sub {minus}12 {minus}12}{sup +15 +6} MeV, {ital M}{sub {Lambda}{sub {ital b}}}{minus}{ital M}{sub {ital B}}{sub {ital d}}=420{sub {minus}90 {minus}30}{sup +100 +30} MeV, and {ital M}{sub {ital B}{asterisk}}{sup 2}{minus}{ital M}{sup 2}{sub {ital B}}=0.281{sub {minus}16 {minus}37}{sup +15 +40} GeV{sup 2}. We compare different more » smearing techniques intended to improve the signal/noise ratio. From a detailed assessment of systematic effects, we conclude that the main systematic uncertainties are associated with the renormalization constants relating a lattice matrix element to its continuum counterpart. The dependence of our findings on lattice artifacts is to be investigated in the future. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.} « less