Deeply virtual Compton scattering in next-to-leading order

We study the amplitude of deeply virtual Compton scattering in next-to-leading order of perturbation theory including the two-loop evolution effects for different sets of skewed parton distributions (SPDs). It turns out that in the minimal subtraction scheme the relative radiative corrections are typically of order 20-50%. In special cases they can even be much larger. We analyze the dependence of our predictions on the choice of SPD, that will allow to discriminate between possible models of SPDs from future high precision experimental data, and discuss shortly theoretical uncertainties induced by radiative corrections. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.