Measurement of the photon structure function F-2(gamma) at low x

Deep inelastic electron-photon scattering is studied using e(+)e(-) data collected by the OPAL detector at centre-of-mass energies root s(ee) approximate to M(Z)o. The photon structure function F-2(gamma)(x,Q(2)) is explored in a Q(2) range of 1.1 to 6.6 GeV2 at lower x values than ever before. To probe this kinematic region events are selected with a beam electron scattered into one of the OPAL luminosity calorimeters at scattering angles between 27 and 55 mrad. A measurement is presented of the photon structure function F-2(gamma)(x,Q(2)) at (Q(2)) = 1.86 GeV2 and 3.76 GeV2 in five logarithmic x bins from 0.0025 to 0.2. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.