Deep inelastic scattering, diffraction, and all that

TL;DR

This paper provides an overview of the partonic structure of protons and photons, discussing their description in deep inelastic scattering, diffraction, and related processes within perturbative QCD, supported by experimental data comparisons.

Contribution

It offers a comprehensive introduction to the formalism of structure, fragmentation, and fracture functions in QCD for various high-energy processes, including experimental insights.

Findings

Comparison of theoretical models with LEP, HERA, and Tevatron data

Insights into the perturbative QCD framework for structure functions

Clarification of the partonic description in diffractive processes

Abstract

These lectures include an introduction to the partonic description of the proton, the photon and the `colour singlet', as seen in inclusive and semi-inclusive DIS, in $e^+e^-$ collisions, and in diffractive processes, respectively. Their formal treatment using structure, fragmentation, and fracture functions is outlined giving an insight into the perturbative QCD framework for these functions. Examples and comparisons with experimental data from LEP, HERA, and Tevatron are also covered.