DIS AND DIFFRACTIVE STRUCTURE FUNCTIONS IN THE QCD DIPOLE MODEL

The proton structure function F₂, the gluon density F_G, and the longitudinal structure function F_L are derived in the QCD dipole picture of BFKL dynamics. We use a four parameter fit to describe the 1994 H1 proton structure function F₂ data in the low x, moderate Q₂ range. Without any additional parameter, the gluon density and the longitudinal structure functions are predicted. The diffractive dissociation processes are also discussed within the same framework, and a new prediction for the proton diffractive structure function is obtained.