Factorization scheme dependence of parton distributions in the polarized virtual photon †

Spin-dependent parton distributions in the polarized virtual photon are investigated in QCD up to the next-to-leading order (NLO). In the case Λ 2 P 2 Q , where Q 2 ( P ) is the mass squared of the probe (target) photon, parton distributions can be predicted completely up to the NLO, but they are factorization-scheme-dependent. Parton distributions are analyzed in four different factorization schemes. The scheme dependence is clearly seen in the first moments and the large-x behaviors of quark parton distributions.