Heavy quark-antiquark bound states in the framework of quantum chromodynamics

Based on the first order running coupling constant α(sub)Λ(q2) we derive in the static limit a quark-antiquark potential. The tachyon pole in α (sub)Λ(q2) leads to a partially confining potential, while the smooth remainder gives rise to a Coulomb-like interaction. We impose linear confinement by extrapolating the confining potential linearly for distances r>r(sub)o. Thus, aside from the quark masses, m (sub)c and m (sub)b, our model contains two free paramters: (i) the renormalization mass Λ, and (ii) the extrapolation radius r (sub)o. With Λ=441 MeV, r =.378fm, m =1.525 GeV, and m(sub)b=4.929 GeV, we reproduce the observed orthocharmonium and orthobottomium spectrum very well. This can be viewed as evidence for the validity of the framework of quantum chromodynamics. (auth)