New NLO Parametrizations of the Parton Distributions in Real Photons

We present new NLO sets of parton distributions in real photons based on a scheme invariant definition of the non-perturbative input. We compare the theoretical predictions with LEP data and a best fit allows us to constrain the parameters of the distributions. The shape of the gluon distribution is poorly constrained and we consider the possibility to measure it in photoproduction experiments. Three parametrizations which aim to take into account the scattering of LEP data are proposed. They are compared to other NLO parametrizations.Comment: 38 pages, 23 Postscript figures, fig. 6,7,8,9 improved, comparisons with other NLO parametrizations, added reference

Large-p_T Inclusive pi^0 Cross Sections and Next-to-Leading-Order QCD Predictions

We review the phenomenology of pi^0 production at large transverse momentum in proton-induced collisions. Uncertainties in the next-to-leading-order predictions of Quantum Chromodynamics are discussed. The comparison with data reveals that the disagreement between theory and experiment lies essentially in an overall normalization factor. The situation for pi^0 production is contrasted with that of prompt-photon production in hadronic collisions.Comment: 21 pages (Latex), 13 figures (Postscript

A critical phenomenological study of inclusive photon production in hadronic collisions

We discuss fixed target and ISR inclusive photon production and attempt a comparison between theory and experiments. The dependence of the theoretical predictions on the structure functions, and on the renormalization and factorization scales is investigated. The main result of this study is that the data cannot be simultaneously fitted with a single set of scales and structure functions. On the other hand, there is no need for an additional intrinsic $k_{_T}$ to force the agreement between QCD predictions and experiments, with the possible exception of one data set. Since the data cover almost overlapping kinematical ranges this raises the question of consistency among data sets. A comparative discussion of some possible sources of experimental uncertainties is sketched.Comment: 22 pages, 3 tables, 10 figures, Late

On the photoproduction of jets at HERA

We discuss the inclusive jet production at HERA in the next-to-leading logarithm approximation. Theoretical uncertainties are considered in some details. We show the importance of the jet rapidity distribution to constrain the parton densities in the photon. A comparison is made with the recent H1 data.Comment: 10 + 7 figures included uuencoded tar-compressed ([email protected]) , ENSLAPP-A-484/94, LPTHE Orsay 94-8

An NLO calculation of the electroproduction of large-E_\bot hadrons

We present a Next-to-Leading Order calculation of the cross section for the leptoproduction of large-$E_{\bot}$ hadrons and we compare our predictions with H1 data on the forward production of $\pi^0$. We find large higher order corrections and an important sensitivity to the renormalization and factorization scales. These large corrections are shown to arise in part from BFKL-like diagrams at the lowest order.Comment: 24 pages, plain LaTeX2e, 10 figure

Cross section of isolated prompt photons in hadron-hadron collisions

We consider the production of isolated prompt photons in hadronic collisions. We present a general discussion in QCD perturbation theory of the isolation criterion used by hadron collider experiments. The isolation criterion is implemented in a computer programme of the Monte Carlo type, which evaluates the production cross section at next-to-leading order accuracy in perturbative QCD. The calculation includes both the direct and the fragmentation components of the cross section, without any approximation of the dependence on the radius R of the isolation cone. We examine the scale dependence of the isolated cross section, the sensitivity of the cross section to the values of the isolation parameters, and we provide a quantitative comparison between the full R dependence and its small-R approximation.Comment: 29 pages, 1 figure, few comments slightly expanded, results unchanged, misprints correcte

A Parton Shower Model for Hadronic Two-Photon Process in e^+e^- Scatterings

A new model of QCD parton shower is proposed which is dedicated to two-photon process in $e^+ e^-$ scattering. When hadron jets are produced, the photon may resolve into quark-antiquark pairs so that the structure functions of the photon should be introduced. Based on the Altarelli-Parisi equation for these functions, an algorithm is formulated that allows us to construct a model for parton showers for the photon. Our model consists of two parts, one of which describes the deep inelastic scattering of the photon and the other one the scattering of two quasi-real photons. Using the model some results are presented on parton distributions and jet production.Comment: LaTeX file 16 pages 7 figures available on requis