The inelastic photon content of the proton

A radiatively generated photon distribution in the proton is considered in a model where it vanishes at a low resolution scale, Q02 = 0.25 GeV2, where all other partons have a valence-like structure. The obtained photon distribution differs considerably from the commonly utilized distributions. A simple and accurate parametrization of the resulting photon distribution is presented in the range 10−5 < x < 1 and 0.25 < Q2 < 106 GeV2. Some consequences for photon induced processes at high energy pp and ep colliders are discussed.