Role of Vector Mesons in High-Q^2 Lepton-Nucleon Scattering

Abstract

The possible role played by vector mesons in inclusive deep inelastic lepton-nucleon scattering is investigated. In the context of the convolution model, we calculate self-consistently the scaling contribution to the nucleon structure function using the formalism of time-ordered perturbation theory in the infinite momentum frame. Our results indicate potentially significant effects only when the vector meson---nucleon form factor is very hard. Agreement with the experimental antiquark distributions, however, requires relatively soft form factors for the $\pi N$, $\rho N$ and $\omega N$ vertices.Comment: 22 pages, 9 figures (available upon request); accepted for publication in Phys.Rev.D, ADP-92-197/T12