Cosmic Strings in an Open Universe: Quantitative Evolution and Observational Consequences

Abstract

The cosmic string scenario in an open universe is developed -- including the equations of motion, a model of network evolution, the large angular scale CMB temperature anisotropy, and the power spectrum of density fluctuations produced by cosmic strings with dark matter. First we derive the equations of motion for cosmic string in an open FRW space-time and construct a quantitative model of the evolution of the gross features of a cosmic string network. Second, we apply this model of network evolution to estimate the rms CMB temperature anisotropy induced by cosmic strings, obtaining the normalization for the mass per unit length $\mu$ as a function of $\Omega$. Third, we consider the effects of the network evolution and normalization in an open universe on the large scale structure formation scenarios with either cold or hot dark matter.Comment: 15 pages, Latex, 3 postscript figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.