Partonic structure of the virtual photon

Abstract

Interactions of virtual photons are analyzed in terms of their parton distribution functions. It is shown that the concept of parton distribution functions is phenomenologically very useful even for highly virtual photonds involved in hard collisions. The role of the longitudinal photons for proper interpretation of the data on jet cross--sections in the region of moderate photon virtualities accessible at HERA is explored.

Comments: 7 pages, Latex, 7 encapsulated eps figures