Non-universality of transverse Coulomb exchange at small x

Abstract

Within an explicit scalar QED model we compare, at fixed x << 1, the leading-twist K_T-dependent `quark&#39; distribution f_q(x, K_T) probed in deep inelastic scattering and Drell-Yan production, and show that the model is consistent with the universality of f_q(x, K_T). The extension of the model from the aligned-jet to the &#39;symmetric&#39; kinematical regime reveals interesting properties of the physics of Coulomb rescatterings when comparing DIS and DY processes. At small x the transverse momentum <k_T^2> induced by multiple scattering on a single centre is process dependent, as well as the transverse momentum broadening occurring in collisions on a finite size nuclear target.