Content

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   Contents
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   List of Figures
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   List of Tables
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  1 Introduction
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   1.1 A brief overview of the Standard Model and QCD
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   1.2 Introduction to this work
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  2 Quantum Chromodynamics
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   2.1 Continuum QCD
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   2.1.1 Renormalization
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   2.1.2 Lambda parameter and RGI mass
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   2.1.3 The running of the coupling
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   2.2 Flavor symmetries of the QCD Lagrangian
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   2.2.1 Summary at the classical level
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   2.2.2 Chiral symmetries
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   2.2.3 Noether currents associated with the chiral symmetry group
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   2.2.4 Spontaneous symmetry breaking
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   2.3 Decoupling of heavy quarks
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   2.3.1 Matching
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  3 Lattice QCD and description of our model study
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   3.1 Lattice QCD approach
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  3.2 Standard discretization
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   3.2.1 Wilson's plaquette action and naive fermion action
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   3.2.2 Fermion doubling and Wilson term
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   3.2.3 Features of Wilson's action
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   3.3 The clover fermion action
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   3.4 Twisted mass QCD
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   3.4.1 Basic formulation for nf2 tmQCD
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   3.4.2 Relation between currents in physical and twisted basis
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   3.4.3 Renormalization of tmQCD with Wilson quarks
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   3.4.4 O(a) improvement at maximal twist
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   3.5 Computing observables
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   3.5.1 Error analysis
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   3.5.2 Scale setting
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   3.5.3 Continuum limit
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   3.6 Open boundary conditions
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   3.7 Typical QCD simulations
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   3.8 Our model to study charm physics
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  4 Observables and Methodology
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   4.1 Correlation functions
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   4.1.1 Meson correlators
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   4.1.2 Stochastic sources
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   4.1.3 Mass derivatives
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   4.2 Decay constants
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   4.2.1 Extraction of matrix elements
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   4.3 Wilson loops
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   4.3.1 QCD static potential
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   4.3.2 Strong coupling alphaqq
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  4.4 Smearing techniques
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   4.4.1 APE smearing
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   4.4.2 HYP smearing
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   4.5 Static-charm mesons
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   4.6 Wilson flow
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   4.7 Description of the lattice setup
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  5 Charm sea effects on the strong coupling alphaqq and on the static potential
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   5.1 Wilson loop measurements
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   5.2 Static potential
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   5.3 Estimate of the string breaking distance for nf2
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   5.4 Determination of the betaqq-function
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   5.4.1 Best-fit procedure
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   5.4.2 Best-fit results
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   5.5 Strong coupling alphaqq
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   5.6 Lambda parameter in nf0 QCD
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  6 Charm sea effects on charmonium systems and RGI mass
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   6.1 Computing meson masses and decay constants
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   6.2 Tuning of the twisted mass parameter
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   6.2.1 Mass shifts
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   6.2.2 Data analysis
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  6.3 Results
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   6.3.1 Meson masses and hyperfine splitting
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   6.3.2 Decay constants
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   6.3.3 RGI mass
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   7 Conclusions and future plans
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   Bibliography