High Q^2 Deep Inelastic Scattering at HERA

TL;DR

This paper discusses how high Q^2 deep inelastic scattering measurements at HERA can inform both parton distribution functions at high x and Q^2, and electroweak parameters, depending on prior knowledge.

Contribution

It clarifies the potential of HERA measurements to advance understanding of parton distributions and electroweak parameters under different assumptions.

Findings

Constraints on parton distributions at high x and Q^2.

Potential to refine electroweak parameters from spacelike boson exchange.

Analysis of current and future measurement limits.

Abstract

High Q^2 NC and CC cross-sections as measured at HERA can give information on two distinct areas of current interest. Firstly, supposing that all the electroweak parameters are well known, these cross-sections may be used to give information on parton distributions at high x and high Q^2. Secondly, supposing that parton distributions are well known, after evolution in Q^2 from the kinematic regime where they are already measured, these cross-sections can be used to give information on electroweak parameters in a process where the exchanged boson is `spacelike' rather than `timelike'. WG1 addressed itself to clarifying the limits of our present and possible future knowledge on both these areas.