Forward Jet Production at HERA in the Low $x$ Regime in Next-to-Leading Order

Abstract

The production of forward jets of transverse momentum $p_T(j)\approx Q$ and large momentum fraction $x_{jet}\gg x$ probes the onset of BFKL dynamics at HERA. A full ${\cal O}(α_s^2)$ calculation of the inclusive forward jet cross section is presented and compared to the expected BFKL cross section. The kinematical region populated by these events and the scale dependence of the fixed order perturbative QCD cross sections are discussed.

Latex, 14 pages, 4 figures. The complete paper, including figures, is also available via anonymous ftp at ftp://ttpux2.physik.uni-karlsruhe.de/ , or via www at http://www-ttp.physik.uni-karlsruhe.de/cgi-bin/preprints/