Future Diffractive Structure Function Measurements at HERA

Abstract

The purposes and possibilities of future diffractive structure function measurements at HERA are presented. A review of the current range and accuracy of the measurement of $F_2^{D(3)}({\hat{I}}^2,x_p,Q^2)$ is presented and an estimate of the precision of future measurements is given. A feasibility study is performed on the measurement of the structure functions $F_2^{D(4)}({\hat{I}}^2,x_p,Q^2,t)$, $F_{2charm}^D$, $R^{D(3)}$, $R^{D(4)}$ and $F_L^p$. Included in this study are estimates of the integrated luminosity required, the analysis techniques to be employed and values of systematic error that could be expected.

15 pages, 7 figures. To appear in the proceedings "Future Physics at HERA", DESY, Hamburg, 1996