B * B π coupling using relativistic heavy quarks

We report on a calculation of the B* Bπ coupling in lattice QCD. The strong matrix element for a B* to Bπ transition is directly related to the leading order low-energy constant in heavy meson chiral perturbation theory (HMχPT) for B mesons. We carry out our calculation directly at the b-quark mass using a non-perturbatively tuned clover action that controls discretization effects of order |→pa| and (ma)n for all n. Our analysis is performed on RBC/UKQCD gauge configurations using domain-wall fermions and the Iwasaki gauge action at two lattice spacings of a-1 = 1.729(25) GeV, a-1 = 2.281(28) GeV, and unitary pion masses down to 290 MeV. We achieve good statistical precision and control all systematic uncertainties, giving a final result for the HMχPT coupling gb = 0.56(3)stat(7)sys in the continuum and at the physical light-quark masses. This is the first calculation performed directly at the physical b-quark mass and lies in the region one would expect from carrying out an interpolation between previous results at the charm mass and at the static point.