The transition from the photoproduction to the DIS region

Abstract

This is a review of the existing ideas in modelling the transition from the photoproduction ($Q^2=0$) to the deep inelastic scattering region. The available data of the proton structure function are analyzed from the point of view of the total $γ^* p$ cross section behavior with $W$ and the results are compared to different parameterizations. The question whether DIS processes are hard or soft is discussed.

11 pages, including 4 figures. Talk presented at the DIS 96 Workshop, Rome, 15-19 April, 1996