Saturation Effects in Deep Inelastic Scattering at low $Q^2$ and its Implications on Diffraction

Abstract

We present a model based on the concept of saturation for small $Q^2$ and small $x$. With only three parameters we achieve a good description of all Deep Inelastic Scattering data below $x=0.01$. This includes a consistent treatment of charm and a successful extrapolation into the photoproduction regime. The same model leads to a roughly constant ratio of diffractive and inclusive cross section.