Multiple Hard Parton Interactions at HERA

Abstract

At HERA, the large flux of almost real photons accompanying the electron beam leads to the copious photoproduction of jets. Regions of small momentum fractions $x$ of the incoming particles are explored, where the density of partons is high. As a result, the probability for more than one hard partonic scattering occurring in a single $\gamma p$ collision could become significant. It is well known that this effect modifies the contribution of jets (minijets) to the total cross section. We discuss the latest HERA data on the total $\gamma p$ cross section in this context. The possible effects of multiple hard interactions on event shapes and jet cross sections at HERA have been studied using Monte Carlo programs. We review some of the available results, which in general indicate that the effects of multiple interactions should be significant and may already be manifest in the existing HERA data.