Heavy quark masses from sum rules in four-loop approximation

New data for the total cross section sigma(e(+)e(-) -> hadrons) in the charm and bottom threshold region are combined with an improved theoretical analysis, which includes recent four-loop calculations, to determine the short distance (MS) over bar charm and bottom quark masses. A detailed discussion of the theoretical and experimental uncertainties is presented. The final result for the (MS) over bar -masses, m(c)(3 GeV) = 0.986(13) GeV and m(b)(10 GeV) = 3.609(25) GeV, can be translated into m(c)(m(c)) = 1.286(13) GeV and m(b)(m(b)) = 4.164(25) GeV. This analysis is consistent with but significantly more precise than a similar previous study. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.