30,357 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.
A Supernova Brane Scan
We consider a `brane-world scenario' recently introduced by Dvali, Gabadadze
and Porrati, and subsequently proposed as an alternative to a cosmological
constant in explaining the current acceleration of the universe. We show that,
contrary to these claims, this proposal is already strongly disfavoured by the
available Type Ia Supernovae, Cosmic Microwave Background and cluster data.Comment: Further cosmetic changes; to appear in The Astrophysical Journal,
v56
Contribution of domain wall networks to the CMB power spectrum
We use three domain wall simulations from the radiation era to the late time
dark energy domination era based on the PRS algorithm to calculate the
energy-momentum tensor components of domain wall networks in an expanding
universe. Unequal time correlators in the radiation, matter and cosmological
constant epochs are calculated using the scaling regime of each of the
simulations. The CMB power spectrum of a network of domain walls is determined.
The first ever quantitative constraint for the domain wall surface tension is
obtained using a Markov chain Monte Carlo method; an energy scale of domain
walls of 0.93 MeV, which is close but below the Zel'dovich bound, is
determined.Comment: Submitted to Physics Letters
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