Limitations of small x resummation methods from F_2 data

Abstract

We discuss several methods of calculating the DIS structure functions F_2(x,Q^2) based on BFKL-type small x resummations. Taking into account new HERA data ranging down to small x and low Q^2, the pure leading order BFKL-based approach is excluded. Other methods based on high energy factorization are closer to conventional renormalization group equations. Despite several difficulties and ambiguities in combining the renormalization group equations with small x resummed terms, we find that a fit to the current data is hardly feasible, since the data in the low Q^2 region are not as steep as the BFKL formalism predicts. Thus we conclude that deviations from the (successful) renormalization group approach towards summing up logarithms in 1/x are disfavoured by experiment.

Comments: Revised, to appear in Nucl. Phys. B, 34 pages, LaTeX2e, 6 figures, uses amssymb and epsfig styles