The Evolution of Unpolarized Singlet Structure Functions at Small x

Abstract

A systematic study is performed of the impact of the various resummed small-$x$ contributions to the anomalous dimensions and coefficient functions on the evolution of unpolarized structure functions in deep-inelastic scattering. The proton structure functions $F_2^p$ and $F_L^p$ as well as the photon structure function $F_2^{\gamma}$ are considered together with the corresponding parton densities. The general analytic solution of the evolution equations in Mellin-$N$ space is derived, and different approximate solutions are compared. Potential effects of less singular small-$x$ terms in the anomalous dimension and coefficient functions are discussed.