Analysis of the electroproduction structure functions in the lowQ ² region, combining the vector meson dominance and the parton model with possible scaling violation

Abstract

The nucleon structure functionF ₂ is constructed and analysed for low values ofQ ² using the generalised vector meson dominance representation with the largeQ ² spectral function calculated from the analytic continuation of the parton model structure function. Various parametrisations of the parton distributions are considered. Possible effects of the largeQ ² scaling violation on the lowQ ² part of the structure function are investigated. The magnitude of the total contribution given by this asymptotic part can be as high as 50% of the vector meson contribution in the low-Q ², low-χ region. The contribution of the valence quarks alone to the structure function at lowQ ² turns out to be at least as important as the corresponding non-Pomeron Regge-pole-like terms coming from the vector meson part. Increase of the structure function with ν coming from the increase of the quark sea in the limit of small χ implied by QCD turns out to be relatively weak at lowQ ². Predictions of the model are compared with available experimental data. The photoproduction cross section and the nuclear effects in the structure function are also briefly discussed.