20,018 research outputs found
Vorton Formation
In this paper we present the first analytic model for vorton formation. We
start by deriving the microscopic string equations of motion in Witten's
superconducting model, and show that in the relevant chiral limit these
coincide with the ones obtained from the supersonic elastic models of Carter
and Peter. We then numerically study a number of solutions of these equations
of motion and thereby suggest criteria for deciding whether a given
superconducting loop configuration can form a vorton. Finally, using a recently
developed model for the evolution of currents in superconducting strings we
conjecture, by comparison with these criteria, that string networks formed at
the GUT phase transition should produce no vortons. On the other hand, a
network formed at the electroweak scale can produce vortons accounting for up
to 6% of the critical density. Some consequences of our results are discussed.Comment: 41 pages; color figures 3-6 not included, but available from authors.
To appear in Phys. Rev.
Topological Defects in Contracting Universes
We study the behaviour and consequences of cosmic string networks in
contracting universes. They approximately behave during the collapse phase as a
radiation fluids. Scaling solutions describing this are derived and tested
against high-resolution numerical simulations. A string network in a
contracting universe, together with the gravitational radiation it generates,
can affect the dynamics of the universe both locally and globally, and be an
important source of radiation, entropy and inhomogeneity. We discuss possible
implications for bouncing and cyclic models.Comment: Shorter version of astro-ph/0206287. To appear in Phys. Rev. Let
The Cosmological Evolution of Domain Wall Networks
We have studied the cosmological evolution of domain wall networks in two,
three and four spatial dimensions using high-resolution field theory
simulations. The dynamical range and number of our simulations is larger than
in previous works, but does not allow us to exclude previous hints of
deviations to the naively expected scale-invariant evolution. These results
therefore suggest that the approach of domain wall networks to linear scaling
is a much slower process than that of cosmic strings, which has been previously
characterized in detail.Comment: 7 pages, submitted to Phys Rev
On the Stability of Fundamental Couplings in the Galaxy
Astrophysical tests of the stability of Nature's fundamental couplings are a
key probe of the standard paradigms in fundamental physics and cosmology. In
this report we discuss updated constraints on the stability of the
fine-structure constant and the proton-to-electron mass ratio
within the Galaxy. We revisit and improve upon the analysis by
Truppe {\it et al.} by allowing for the possibility of simultaneous variations
of both couplings and also by combining them with the recent measurements by
Levshakov {\it et al.} By considering representative unification scenarios we
find no evidence for variations of at the 0.4 ppm level, and of
at the 0.6 ppm level; if one uses the Levshakov bound on as a prior,
the bound is improved to 0.1 ppm. We also highlight how these
measurements can constrain (and discriminate among) several fundamental physics
paradigms.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figur
Low redshift constraints on energy-momentum-powered gravity models
There has been recent interest in the cosmological consequences of
energy-momentum-powered gravity models, in which the matter side of Einstein's
equations is modified by the addition of a term proportional to some power,
, of the energy-momentum tensor, in addition to the canonical linear term.
In this work we treat these models as phenomenological extensions of the
standard CDM, containing both matter and a cosmological constant. We
also quantitatively constrain the additional model parameters using low
redshift background cosmology data that are specifically from Type Ia
supernovas and Hubble parameter measurements. We start by studying specific
cases of these models with fixed values of which lead to an analytic
expression for the Friedmann equation; we discuss both their current
constraints and how the models may be further constrained by future
observations of Type Ia supernovas for WFIRST complemented by measurements of
the redshift drift by the ELT. We then consider and constrain a more extended
parameter space, allowing to be a free parameter and considering scenarios
with and without a cosmological constant. These models do not solve the
cosmological constant problem per se. Nonetheless these models can
phenomenologically lead to a recent accelerating universe without a
cosmological constant at the cost of having a preferred matter density of
around instead of the usual . Finally we
also briefly constrain scenarios without a cosmological constant, where the
single component has a constant equation of state which needs not be that of
matter; we provide an illustrative comparison of this model with a more
standard dynamical dark energy model with a constant equation of state.Comment: 13+2 pages, 12+1 figures; A&A (in press
New results for the t-J model in ladders: Changes in the spin liquid state with applied magnetic field. Implications for the cuprates
Exact Diagonalization calculations are presented for the t-J model in the
presence of a uniform magnetic field. Results for 2xL ladders (L=8,10,12) and
4x4 square clusters with 1 and 2 holes indicate that the diamagnetic response
to a perpendicular magnetic field tends to induce a spin liquid state in the
spin background. The zero-field spin liquid state of a two-leg ladder is
reinforced by the magnetic field: a considerable increase of rung
antiferromagnetic correlations is observed for J/t up to 0.6, for 1 and 2
holes. Pair-breaking is also clearly observed in the ladders and seems to be
associated in part with changes promoted by the field in the spin correlations
around the zero-field pair. In the 4x4 cluster, the numerical results seem to
indicate that the field-induced spin liquid state competes with the zero-field
antiferromagnetic short-range-order, the spin liquid state being favored by
higher doping and smaller values of J/t. It is interesting to note that the
field-effect can also be observed in a 2x2 plaquette with 1 and 2 holes. This
opens up the possibility of gaining a qualitative understanding of the effect.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures, latex New results adde
Dark matter from cosmic defects on galactic scales?
We discuss the possible dynamical role of extended cosmic defects on galactic
scales, specifically focusing on the possibility that they may provide the dark
matter suggested by the classical problem of galactic rotation curves. We
emphasize that the more standard defects (such as Goto-Nambu strings) are
unsuitable for this task, but show that more general models (such as transonic
wiggly strings) could in principle have a better chance. In any case, we show
that observational data severely restricts any such scenarios.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev. D (Brief Reports). v2: Reference added and
some typos corrected, matches published versio
Social Effects in Science: Modelling Agents for a Better Scientific Practice
Science is a fundamental human activity and we trust its results because it
has several error-correcting mechanisms. Its is subject to experimental tests
that are replicated by independent parts. Given the huge amount of information
available, scientists have to rely on the reports of others. This makes it
possible for social effects to influence the scientific community. Here, an
Opinion Dynamics agent model is proposed to describe this situation. The
influence of Nature through experiments is described as an external field that
acts on the experimental agents. We will see that the retirement of old
scientists can be fundamental in the acceptance of a new theory. We will also
investigate the interplay between social influence and observations. This will
allow us to gain insight in the problem of when social effects can have
negligible effects in the conclusions of a scientific community and when we
should worry about them.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure
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