Vector current scattering in two dimensional quantum chromodynamics

The interaction of vector currents with hadrons is considered in a two dimensional SU(N) color gauge theory coupled to fermions in leading order in an N-1 expansion. After giving a detailed review of the model, various transition matrix elements of one and two vector currents between hadronic states were considered. A pattern is established whereby the low mass currents interact via meson dominance and the highly virtual currents interact via bare quark-current couplings. This pattern is especially evident in the hadronic contribution to inelastic Compton scattering, M/sub μν/ = ∫ dx e/sup iq.x/ < n vertical bar T*(J/sub μ/(x)J/sub ν/(0)) vertical bar m >, which is investigated in various kinematic limits. It is shown that in the dual Regge region of soft processes the currents interact as purely hadronic systems. Modification of dimensional counting rules is indicated by a study of a large angle scattering analog. In several hard inclusive nonlight cone processes, parton model ideas are confirmed. The impulse approximation is valid in a Bjorken--Paschos-like limit with very virtual currents. A Drell--Yan type annihilation mechanism is found in photoproduction of massive lepton pairs, leading to identification of a parton wave function for the current. 56 references