HERA AND THE ASYMPTOTIC-BEHAVIOR OF F-2(P)

We examine the recent HERA data on the deep inelastic structure function, F-2(p). The data are analysed in terms of the 'double scaling' variables, root ln(1/x)lnlnQ(2) and root ln(1/x)/lnlnQ(2). Although the data can be well described by the 'double asymptotic scaling' prediction of perturbative QCD, we find that this is not the only possible scenario and hence conclude that, as yet, the HERA data is unable to identify the essential physics driving the small-x rise in F-2(P).