Scaling and small-scale structure in cosmic string networks

Journal Article · Tue Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Physical Review, D

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.56.637· OSTI ID:527067

Vincent, G R; Hindmarsh, M ^[1]; Sakellariadou, M ^[2]

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1. Centre for Theoretical Physics, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QH (United Kingdom)
2. Departement de Physique Theorique, Universite de Geneve, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 24, CH-1211 Geneve 4 (Switzerland)

We examine the scaling properties of an evolving network of strings in Minkowski spacetime and study the evolution of length scales in terms of a three-scale model proposed by Austin, Copeland, and Kibble (ACK). We find good qualitative and some quantitative agreement between the model and our simulations. We also investigate small-scale structure by altering the minimum allowed size for loop production E{sub c}. Certain quantities depend significantly on this parameter: for example, the scaling density can vary by a factor of 2 or more with increasing E{sub c}. Small-scale structure as defined by ACK disappears if no restrictions are placed on loop production, and the fractal dimension of the string changes smoothly from 2 to 1 as the resolution scale is decreased. Loops are nearly all produced at the lattice cutoff. We suggest that the lattice cutoff should be interpreted as corresponding to the string width, and that in a real network loops are actually produced with this size. This leads to a radically different string scenario, with particle production rather than gravitational radiation being the dominant mode of energy dissipation. At the very least, a better understanding of the discretization effects in all simulations of cosmic strings is called for. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}

• OSTI ID: 527067
• Journal Information: Physical Review, D, Journal Name: Physical Review, D Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 56; ISSN PRVDAQ; ISSN 0556-2821
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
COSMOLOGY
ENERGY DENSITY
ENERGY LOSSES
FRACTALS
GRAVITATIONAL RADIATION
GRAVITATIONAL WAVES
MINKOWSKI SPACE
SCALING
SIMULATION
SPACE-TIME
STRING MODELS