Structure functions and low x physics

Abstract

In the framework of conventional Regge theory we present a common description of total photon-proton cross-section and proton structure functions in the region $0\le Q^2\le 5{\mathrm{GeV}}^2$. Using it as an initial condition in the perturbative QCD evolution equation, we describe structure functions at any $Q^2$ and $x$ - including the small $x$ region explored at HERA.

Comments: 10 pages + 7 figures available on request, Plain TeX, Preprint LPTHE Orsay 94-34