Parton distributions: a new global analysis

Abstract.

We present a new analysis of parton distributions of the proton. This incorporates a wide range of new data, an improved treatment of heavy flavours and a re-examination of prompt photon production. The new set (MRST) shows systematic differences from previous sets of partons which can be identified with particular features of the new data and with improvements in the analysis. We also investigate the sensitivities of the results to (i) the uncertainty in the determination of the gluon at large $x$, (ii) the value of $\alpha_S (M_Z^2)$ and (iii) the minimum $Q^2$ cut on the data that are included in the global fit.