Phenomenology of the Electron Structure Function

Abstract

Advantages of introducing the electron structure function (ESF) in electron induced processes are demonstrated. Contrary to the photon structure function it is directly measured in such processes. At present energies a simultaneous analysis of both the electron and the photon structure functions gives an important test of the experimentally applied methods. Estimates of the ESF at currently measured momenta are given. At very high momenta contributions from $W$ and $Z$ bosons together with $\gamma$-$Z$ interference can be observed. Predictions for next generation of experiments are given.