Compton scattering and nonforward parton distributions

Abstract

The hard exclusive electroproduction processes provide new information about hadronic structure accumulated in nonforward parton distributions. The NFPD's are universal hybrid functions having the properties of parton densities, hadronic form factors and distribution amplitudes. They give a unified description of various hard exclusive and inclusive reactions. The basic supplier of information about nonforward parton distributions is deeply virtual Compton scattering which offers a remarkable example of Bjorken scaling phenomena in exclusive processes. Wide-angle real Compton scattering is an ideal tool to test angle-dependent scaling laws characteristic for soft overlap mechanism. Hard meson electroproduction is the best candidate to see pQCD hard gluon exchange in exclusive reactions.