Fractal properties and small-scale structure of cosmic string networks

Journal Article · Wed Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 2006 · Physical Review. D, Particles Fields

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.73.043515· OSTI ID:20776732

Martins, C J.A.P. ^[1]; Shellard, E P.S. ^[2]

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1. Centro de Fisica do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, 4169-007, Porto (Portugal)
2. Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA (United Kingdom)

We present results from a detailed numerical study of the small-scale and loop production properties of cosmic string networks, based on the largest and highest resolution string simulations to date. We investigate the nontrivial fractal properties of cosmic strings, in particular, the fractal dimension and renormalized string mass per unit length, and we also study velocity correlations. We demonstrate important differences between string networks in flat (Minkowski) spacetime and the two very similar expanding cases. For high resolution matter era network simulations, we provide strong evidence that small-scale structure has converged to 'scaling' on all dynamical length scales, without the need for other radiative damping mechanisms. We also discuss preliminary evidence that the dominant loop production size is also approaching scaling.

• OSTI ID: 20776732
• Journal Information: Physical Review. D, Particles Fields, Journal Name: Physical Review. D, Particles Fields Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 73; ISSN PRVDAQ; ISSN 0556-2821
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CORRELATIONS
COSMOLOGY
FRACTALS
MASS
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
RESOLUTION
SPACE-TIME
STRING MODELS