Eur. Phys. J. C (2005) 40: 515-517
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s2005-02167-3

theoretical physics

Probing the perturbative NLO parton evolution in the small-x region

Institut für Physik, Universität Dortmund, 44221, Dortmund, Germany

Abstract

A dedicated test of the perturbative QCD NLO parton evolution in the very small-x region is performed. We find a good agreement with recent precision HERA data for F ₂ ^p(x,Q ²), as well as with the present determination of the curvature of F ₂ ^p. Characteristically, perturbative QCD evolutions result in a positive curvature which increases as x decreases. Future precision measurements in the very small x-region, x < 10^-4, could provide a sensitive test of the range of validity of perturbative QCD.