29,622 research outputs found
Recent developments in Vorton Theory
This article provides a concise overview of recent theoretical results
concerning the theory of vortons, which are defined to be (centrifugally
supported) equilibrium configurations of (current carrying) cosmic string
loops. Following a presentation of the results of work on the dynamical
evolution of small circular string loops, whose minimum energy states are the
simplest examples of vortons, recent order of magnitude estimates of the
cosmological density of vortons produced in various kinds of theoretical
scenario are briefly summarised.Comment: 6 pages Latex. Contribution to 1996 Cosmology Meeting, Peyresq,
Franc
Experimental study of ion heating and acceleration during magnetic reconnection
Ion heating and acceleration has been studied in the well-characterized reconnection layer of the Magnetic Reconnection Experiment [M. Yamada , Phys. Plasmas 4, 1936 (1997)]. Ion temperature in the layer rises substantially during null-helicity reconnection in which reconnecting field lines are anti-parallel. The plasma outflow is sub-Alfvenic due to a downstream back pressure. An ion energy balance calculation based on the data and including classical viscous heating indicates that ions are heated largely via nonclassical mechanisms. The T-i rise is much smaller during co-helicity reconnection in which field lines reconnect obliquely. This is consistent with a slower reconnection rate and a smaller resistivity enhancement over the Spitzer value. These observations show that nonclassical dissipation mechanisms can play an important role both in heating the ions and in facilitating the reconnection process
Spinning BTZ Black Hole versus Kerr Black Hole : A Closer Look
By applying Newman's algorithm, the AdS_3 rotating black hole solution is
``derived'' from the nonrotating black hole solution of Banados, Teitelboim,
and Zanelli (BTZ). The rotating BTZ solution derived in this fashion is given
in ``Boyer-Lindquist-type'' coordinates whereas the form of the solution
originally given by BTZ is given in a kind of an ``unfamiliar'' coordinates
which are related to each other by a transformation of time coordinate alone.
The relative physical meaning between these two time coordinates is carefully
studied. Since the Kerr-type and Boyer-Lindquist-type coordinates for rotating
BTZ solution are newly found via Newman's algorithm, next, the transformation
to Kerr-Schild-type coordinates is looked for. Indeed, such transformation is
found to exist. And in this Kerr-Schild-type coordinates, truely maximal
extension of its global structure by analytically continuing to ``antigravity
universe'' region is carried out.Comment: 17 pages, 1 figure, Revtex, Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
KIC 2856960: the impossible triple star
KIC 2856960 is a star in the Kepler field which was observed by Kepler for 4
years. It shows the primary and secondary eclipses of a close binary of 0.258d
as well as complex dipping events that last for about 1.5d at a time and recur
on a 204d period. The dips are thought to result when the close binary passes
across the face of a third star. In this paper we present an attempt to model
the dips. Despite the apparent simplicity of the system and strenuous efforts
to find a solution, we find that we cannot match the dips with a triple star
while satisfying Kepler's laws. The problem is that to match the dips the
separation of the close binary has to be larger than possible relative to the
outer orbit given the orbital periods. Quadruple star models can get round this
problem but require the addition of a so-far undetected intermediate period of
order 5 -- 20d that has be a near-perfect integer divisor of the outer 204d
period. Although we have no good explanation for KIC 2856960, using the full
set of Kepler data we are able to update several of its parameters. We also
present a spectrum showing that KIC 2856960 is dominated by light from a K3- or
K4-type star.Comment: 11 pages, 13 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS August 21,
201
Cosmic Vortons and Particle Physics Constraints
We investigate the cosmological consequences of particle physics theories
that admit stable loops of superconducting cosmic string - {\it vortons}.
General symmetry breaking schemes are considered, in which strings are formed
at one energy scale and subsequently become superconducting in a secondary
phase transition at what may be a considerably lower energy scale. We estimate
the abundances of the ensuing vortons, and thereby derive constraints on the
relevant particle physics models from cosmological observations. These
constraints significantly restrict the category of admissible Grand Unified
theories, but are quite compatible with recently proposed effects whereby
superconducting strings may have been formed close to the electroweak phase
transition.Comment: 33 pages, 2 figures, RevTe
Chiral Vortons and Cosmological Constraints on Particle Physics
We investigate the cosmological consequences of particle physics theories
that admit stable loops of current-carrying string - vortons. In particular, we
consider chiral theories where a single fermion zero mode is excited in the
string core, such as those arising in supersymmetric theories with a D-term.
The resulting vortons formed in such theories are expected to be more stable
than their non-chiral cousins. General symmetry breaking schemes are considered
in which strings formed at one symmetry breaking scale become current-carrying
at a subsequent phase transition. The vorton abundance is estimated and
constraints placed on the underlying particle physics theories from
cosmological observations. Our constraints on the chiral theory are
considerably more stringent than the previous estimates for more general
theories.Comment: minor corrections made. This version will appear in PR
Dynamical Stability of Witten Rings
The dynamical stability of cosmic rings, or vortons, is investigated for the
particular equation of state given by the Witten bosonic model. It is found
that there exists a finite range of the state parameter for which the vorton
states are actually stable against dynamical perturbations. Inclusion of the
electromagnetic self action into the equation of state slightly shrinks the
stability region but otherwise yields no qualitative difference. If the Witten
bosonic model represents a good approximation for more realistic string models,
then the cosmological vorton excess problem can only be solved by assuming
either that strings are formed at low energy scales or that some quantum
instability may develop at a sufficient rate.Comment: 11 pages, LaTeX-ReVTeX (v.3), 2 figures available upon request, DAMTP
R-94/1
Global Structure of a Black-Hole Cosmos and its Extremes
We analyze the global structure of a family of Einstein-Maxwell solutions
parametrized by mass, charge and cosmological constant. In a qualitative
classification there are: (i) generic black-hole solutions, describing a
Wheeler wormhole in a closed cosmos of spatial topology ; (ii)
generic naked-singularity solutions, describing a pair of ``point" charges in a
closed cosmos; (iii) extreme black-hole solutions, describing a pair of
``horned" particles in an otherwise closed cosmos; (iv) extreme
naked-singularity solutions, in which a pair of point charges forms and then
evaporates, in a way which is not even weakly censored; and (v) an
ultra-extreme solution. We discuss the properties of the solutions and of
various coordinate systems, and compare with the Kastor-Traschen
multi-black-hole solutions.Comment: 11 pages. Diagrams not include
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