Strings matter: Dynamics and evolution of cosmic string networks in flat spacetime

Thesis/Dissertation · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:5378851

Sakellariadou, M

This research inquires into the dynamics and evolution of cosmic string networks in flat spacetime. It involves the study of the statistical properties of string networks and the dynamics of long strings, including the scaling density; the fractal nature of string substructure; and the effectiveness of the gravitational damping mechanism, regarding the long strings' wiggles. Methodologically, it employs both numerical (within the framework of an exact soluble model in flat spacetime) and analytical analyses. The central propositions of this research are a follows: (1) for a string network in equilibrium, when the energy density of the network is low, the dominant part of the string is in the form of closed loops of the smallest allowed size, and a certain critical density the system undergoes a phase transition characterized by formation of very long strings; (2) for an evolving network, the typical curvature radius of long strings, and the characteristic distance between them, are both comparable to the evolution time, and at the same time, long strings possess a significant small-scale structure, which plays an important role in the energy distribution of the produced loops: and (3) gravitational radiation is rather effective in damping the small-scale structure, but only for large amplitude waves.

• Research Organization: Tufts Univ., Medford, MA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5378851
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640106* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmology
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COMPOSITE MODELS
COSMOLOGY
DATA
EXTENDED PARTICLE MODEL
FLUX DENSITY
GALACTIC EVOLUTION
GRAVITATIONAL WAVES
INFORMATION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NUMERICAL DATA
PARTICLE MODELS
QUARK MODEL
SPACE-TIME
STRING MODELS
THEORETICAL DATA