Vorton formation

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 1998

Authors

Martins, CJAP (Author) Other; Shellard, EPS (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Physical Review D: Particles and fields

Vol. 57

Pages: 7155-7176

ISSN: 0556-2821

Publisher: American Physical Society

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 29 Citations

Scopus - 26 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-001-7PR

DOI: 10.1103/physrevd.57.7155

Abstract (EN): In this paper we present the first analytic model for vorton formation. We start by deriving the microscopic string equations of motion in Witten's superconducting model, and show that in the relevant chiral limit these coincide with the ones obtained from the supersonic elastic models of Carter and Peter. We then numerically study a number of solutions of these equations of motion and thereby suggest criteria for deciding whether a given superconducting loop configuration can form a vorton. Finally, using a recently developed model for the evolution of currents in superconducting strings we conjecture, by comparison with these criteria, that string networks formed at the GUT phase transition should produce no vortons. On the other hand, a network formed at the electroweak scale can produce vortons accounting for up to 6% of the critical density. Some consequences of our results are discussed.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 22