Cosmic string formation by flux trapping

We study the formation of cosmic strings by confining a stochastic magnetic field into flux tubes in a numerical simulation. We use overdamped evolution in a potential that is minimized when the flux through each face in the simulation lattice is a multiple of the fundamental flux quantum. When the typical number of flux quanta through a correlation-length-sized region is initially about 1, we find a string network similar to that generated by the Kibble-Zurek mechanism. With larger initial flux, the loop distribution and the Brownian shape of the infinite strings remain unchanged, but the fraction of length in infinite strings is increased. A 2D slice of the network exhibits bundles of strings pointing in the same direction, as in earlier 2D simulations. We find, however, that strings belonging to the same bundle do not stay together in 3D for much longer than the correlation length. As the initial flux per correlation length is decreased, there is a point at which infinite strings disappear, as in the Hagedorn transition.Comment: 16 pages and 9 figures. (Minor changes and new references added

Fuzzy de Sitter Space from kappa-Minkowski Space in Matrix Basis

We consider the Lie group $\mathbb{R}^D_\kappa$ generated by the Lie algebra of $\kappa$-Minkowski space. Imposing the invariance of the metric under the pull-back of diffeomorphisms induced by right translations in the group, we show that a unique right invariant metric is associated with $\mathbb{R}^D_\kappa$. This metric coincides with the metric of de Sitter space-time. We analyze the structure of unitary representations of the group $\mathbb{R}^D_\kappa$ relevant for the realization of the non-commutative $\kappa$-Minkowski space by embedding into $(2D-1)$-dimensional Heisenberg algebra. Using a suitable set of generalized coherent states, we select the particular Hilbert space and realize the non-commutative $\kappa$-Minkowski space as an algebra of the Hilbert-Schmidt operators. We define dequantization map and fuzzy variant of the Laplace-Beltrami operator such that dequantization map relates fuzzy eigenvectors with the eigenfunctions of the Laplace-Beltrami operator on the half of de Sitter space-time.Comment: 21 pages, v3 differs from version published in Fortschritte der Physik by a note and references added and adjuste

SO_0(1,d+1) Racah coefficients: Type I representations

We use AdS/CFT inspired methods to study the Racah coefficients for type I representations of the Lorentz group SO_0(1,d+1) with d>1. For such representations (a multiple of) the Racah coefficient can be represented as an integral of a product of 6 bulk-to-bulk propagators over 4 copies of the hyperbolic space H_{d+1}. To compute the integrals we represent the bulk-to-bulk propagators in terms of bulk-to-boundary ones. The bulk integrals can be computed explicitly, and the boundary integrations are carried out by introducing Feynman parameters. The final result is an integral representation of the Racah coefficient given by 4 Barnes-Mellin type integrals.Comment: 20 pages, 1 figure. v2: Case d=1 corrected, case d>1 clarifie

Exact metric around a wiggly cosmic string

The exact metric around a wiggly cosmic string is found by modifying the energy momentum-tensor of a straight infinitely thin cosmic string to include an electric current along the symmetry axis.Comment: 5 page

A Note on Tachyon Moduli and Closed Strings

The collective behavior of the SL(2,R) covariant brane states of non-critical c=1 string theory found in a previous work, is studied in the Fermi liquid approximation. It is found that such states mimick the coset WZW model, whereas only by further restrictions one recovers the double-scaling limit which was purported to be equivalent to closed string models. Another limit is proposed, inspired by the tachyon condensation ideas, where the spectrum is the same of two-dimensional string theory. We close by noting some strange connections between vacuum states of the theory in their different interpretations.Comment: PDFLaTeX, 17 pages, 2 figures; Section 2 rewritten, several fixes throughout the text to improve clarit

Cosmic string scaling in flat space

We investigate the evolution of infinite strings as a part of a complete cosmic string network in flat space. We perform a simulation of the network which uses functional forms for the string position and thus is exact to the limits of computer arithmetic. Our results confirm that the wiggles on the strings obey a scaling law described by universal power spectrum. The average distance between long strings also scales accurately with the time. These results suggest that small-scale structure will also scale in expanding universe, even in the absence of gravitational damping.Comment: 13 pages,7 figure

Weak-Field Gravity of Revolving Circular Cosmic Strings

A weak-field solution of Einstein's equations is constructed. It is generated by a circular cosmic string revolving in its plane about the centre of the circle. (The revolution is introduced to prevent the string from collapsing.) This solution exhibits a conical singularity, and the corresponding deficit angle is the same as for a straight string of the same linear energy density, irrespective of the angular velocity of the string.Comment: 13 pages, LaTe

Surplus Angle and Sign-flipped Coulomb Force in Projectable Horava-Lifshitz Gravity

We obtain the static spherically symmetric vacuum solutions of Horava-Lifshitz gravity theory, imposing the detailed balance condition only in the UV limit. We find the solutions in two different coordinate systems, the Painlev\'e-Gullstrand coordinates and the Poincare coordinates, to examine the consequences of imposing the projectability condition. The solutions in two coordinate systems are distinct due to the non-relativistic nature of the HL gravity. In the Painleve-Gullstrand coordinates complying with the projectability condition, the solution involves an additional integration constant which yields surplus angle and implies attractive Coulomb force between same charges.Comment: 13 page

Black Holes from Nucleating Strings

We evaluate the probability that a loop of string that has spontaneously nucleated during inflation will form a black hole upon collapse, after the end of inflation. We then use the observational bounds on the density of primordial black holes to put constraints on the parameters of the model. Other constraints from the distortions of the microwave background and emission of gravitational radiation by the loops are considered. Also, observational constraints on domain wall nucleation and monopole pair production during inflation are briefly discussed.Comment: 27 pages, tutp-92-

Prediction and explanation in the multiverse

Probabilities in the multiverse can be calculated by assuming that we are typical representatives in a given reference class. But is this class well defined? What should be included in the ensemble in which we are supposed to be typical? There is a widespread belief that this question is inherently vague, and that there are various possible choices for the types of reference objects which should be counted in. Here we argue that the ``ideal'' reference class (for the purpose of making predictions) can be defined unambiguously in a rather precise way, as the set of all observers with identical information content. When the observers in a given class perform an experiment, the class branches into subclasses who learn different information from the outcome of that experiment. The probabilities for the different outcomes are defined as the relative numbers of observers in each subclass. For practical purposes, wider reference classes can be used, where we trace over all information which is uncorrelated to the outcome of the experiment, or whose correlation with it is beyond our current understanding. We argue that, once we have gathered all practically available evidence, the optimal strategy for making predictions is to consider ourselves typical in any reference class we belong to, unless we have evidence to the contrary. In the latter case, the class must be correspondingly narrowed.Comment: Minor clarifications adde