Cosmic Strings in Realistic Particle Physics Theories and Baryogenesis

Grand unified theories can admit cosmic stringswith fermion zero modes. Such zero modes result in thestring being current-carrying and the formation ofstable remnants, vortons. However, the string zero modes do not automatically survive subsequentphase transitions. In this case the vortons dissipate.It is possible that the dissipating cosmic vortonscreate the observed baryon asymmetry of the universe. We show that fermion zero modes are anautomatic consequence cosmic strings in supersymmetrictheories. Since supersymmetry is not observed in nature,we consider possible supersymmetry-breaking terms. Some of these terms result in the zero modesbeing destroyed. We calculate the baryon asymmetrygenerated by the consequent dissipating cosmic vortons.If the supersymmetry-breaking scale is high enough, then the dissipating cosmic vortons couldaccount for the observed baryon asymmetry.     

Strings and statistics

We discuss the possibility of unusual statistics in four dimensional string theory through the use of Aharonov-Bohm like phases. Such phases are closely related to anomaly cancellation in four dimensions and thus can be exactly calculated in terms of the low energy fermion spectrum of the theory. We illustrate this connection by calculating the statistical phases exactly in sample models of heterotic string compactification. We discuss some of the difficulties in applying these ideas to fundamental strings, and mention some possible applications to cosmic string scenarios.     

Cosmic sparks from superconducting strings

We investigate cosmic sparks from cusps on superconducting cosmic strings in light of the recently discovered millisecond radio burst by Lorimer et al.. We find that the observed duration, fluence, spectrum, and event rate can be reasonably explained by grand unification scale superconducting cosmic strings that carry currents approximately 10{5} GeV. The superconducting string model predicts an event rate that falls off only as S{-1/2}, where S is the energy flux, and hence predicts a population of very bright bursts. Other surveys, with different observational parameters, are shown to impose tight constraints on the superconducting string model.     

Primordial black hole formation by stabilized embedded strings in the early universe

Primordial black hole formation by cosmic string collapses is reconsidered in the case where the winding number of the string is larger than unity. The line energy density of a multiple winding string becomes greater than that of a single winding string so that the probability of black hole formation by string collapse during loop oscillation would be strongly enhanced. Moreover, this probability could be affected by changes in gravity theory due to large extra dimensions based on the brane universe model. In addition, a wider class of strings which are stable compared to conventional cosmic strings can contribute to such a scenario. Although the production of the multiple winding defect is suppressed and its number density should be small, the enhancement of black hole formation by the increased energy density may provide a large number of evaporating black holes in the present universe which gives more stringent constraints on the string model compared to the ordinary string scenario.     

Dynamics and properties of chiral cosmic strings

Chiral cosmic strings naturally arise in many particle physics models, in particular in supersymmetric theories with a D-term. These strings have a single fermion zero mode in the core. We derive the general equation of motion for such strings. In Minkowski space we give the self-intersections for an arbitrary varying current on the loop, showing that the self-intersection probability is dominated by the fraction of loop with maximal charge. We show how to relate the charge to the fermion condensation temperature, arguing that strings which become current carrying at formation will automatically have a maximal charge. Any daughter loops produced are likely to have the same charge as the parent loop. Possible models for chiral cosmic strings are also discussed and consequences for D-term inflation mentioned.     

Fitting cosmic microwave background data with cosmic strings and inflation

We perform a multiparameter likelihood analysis to compare measurements of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) power spectra with predictions from models involving cosmic strings. Adding strings to the standard case of a primordial spectrum with power-law tilt ns, we find a 2sigma detection of strings: f10=0.11+/-0.05, where f10 is the fractional contribution made by strings in the temperature power spectrum (at l=10). CMB data give moderate preference to the model ns=1 with cosmic strings over the standard zero-strings model with variable tilt. When additional non-CMB data are incorporated, the two models become on a par. With variable ns and these extra data, we find that f10<0.11, which corresponds to Gmicro<0.7x10(-6) (where micro is the string tension and G is the gravitational constant).     

Nonsupersymmetric string solitons

We begin a search for nonsupersymmetric/supersymmetric dual string pairs by constructing candidate critical nonsupersymmetric strings as solitons in supersymmetric string theories. Using orbifold techniques, one can construct cosmic string solutions which lie in supersymmetric vacua but which do not fall in supermultiplets. We discuss two three-dimensional examples in detail. The effective worldsheet actions for the soliton strings have (0,2) and (1,1) supersymmetry and the correct numbers of massless bosons and fermions to be critical heterotic and type II strings, respectively.     

On Kantowski-Sachs Cosmic Strings Coupled with Maxwell Fields in Bimetric Relativity

Kantowski-Sachs model is studied with source cosmic cloud strings coupled with electromagnetic field in Rosen’s (Gen. Relativ. Gravit. 4:435, 1973) bimetric theory of relativity. It is shown that there is no contribution from Maxwell fields in this theory. Hence geometric string and vacuum cosmological models are established.     

Test particle trajectories near cosmic strings

We present a detailed analysis of the motion of test particle in the gravitational field of cosmic strings in different situations using the Hamilton-Jacobi (H-J) formalism. We have discussed the trajectories near static cosmic string, cosmic string in Brans-Dicke theory and cosmic string in dilaton gravity.     

The static metrics with cylindrical symmetry describing a model of cosmic strings

We discuss a set of static metrics with cylindrical symmetry describing the interior and exterior space-time of a model of cosmic strings considered recently in cosmology. The interior metric depends on one arbitrary function and the exterior on one constant. We find the relation between this constant and the linear mass density of the cosmic string. A cosmic string can be also treated as a line source in the framework of the distribution-valued curvature formalism which allows us to obtain again the same relation.     

Decoupling of heavy fermion in the softly broken Wess-Zumino model

The decoupling of the heavy fermion in the softly broken Wess-Zumino model is considered. It is shown, that it is much simpler, than in the standard case, giving superrenormalizable low energy theory with no stable vacuum.     

String theories and millisecond pulsars

We discuss the two ways of connecting string theories (cosmic, fundamental and the connection between them) to the observational reality: (i) radioastronomy observations (millisecond pulsar timing), and (ii) elementary particle phenomenology (compactification schemes). We study the limits imposed on the string parameter Gμ by recent millisecond pulsar timings. Cosmic strings derived from GUTs agree with (i). For cosmic strings derived from fundamental strings themselves there is contradiction between (i) and (ii). One of these scenarios connecting string theory to reality must be revised (or the transition from fundamental into cosmic strings rejected). Meanwhile, millisecond pulsar can select one scenario, or reject both of them.     

Collisions of strings with Y junctions

We study the dynamics of Nambu-Goto strings with junctions at which three strings meet. In particular, we exhibit one simple exact solution and examine the process of intercommuting of two straight strings in which they exchange partners but become joined by a third string. We show that there are important kinematical constraints on this process. The exchange cannot occur if the strings meet with very large relative velocity. This may have important implications for the evolution of cosmic superstring networks and non-Abelian string networks.     

The gravitational interaction of conical strings

Up to now calculations of the interaction of cosmic strings have neglected gravity. We consider the purely gravitational interactions that occur at large distances, using the conical line singularity for the gravitational field of a string. We construct spaces with multiple intersecting conical strings, that are exactly consistent with General Relativity, and which can be covered in a single Minkowski coordinate patch, using a Regge calculus type construction. We show that after two such strings pass through each other they remain connected by another string, and we derive the branching rules which govern the junction of three strings. These rules apply to conical type strings in any smoothly curved background, whether they are straight or curved, moving or stationary, and they show that, at the junction, the three strings must be as coplanar as is possible in such a space. For these results to be matched onto the short range results of Field Theory calculations, it is suggested that gravitational radiation must be introduced. This would mean that gravitation is not negligible in these interactions.     

Strong Field Gravitational Lensing in a Magnetic Charged Reissner-Nordstr?m Black Hole Pierced by a Cosmic String

The principal focus of this paper is to study the strong field gravitational lensing in a magnetic charged Reissner-Nordstr?m black hole based on the method of cosmic string. We obtain the new coefficients including the tension of the cosmic strings, the strong field deflection limit coefficients, the deflection angle and the magnification, and obtain the relationship between the cosmic string parameter and the new coefficients. The result shows that the cosmic strings have some important effect on the gravitational lensing in a black hole when they pierce it.     

Fermionic vacuum polarization in compactified cosmic string spacetime

We investigate the fermionic condensate and the vacuum expectation value (VEV) of the energy-momentum tensor for a charged massive fermionic field in the geometry of a cosmic string compactified along its axis. In addition, we assume the presence of two types of magnetic fluxes: a flux running along the cosmic string and another enclosed by the compact dimension. These fluxes give rise to Aharanov–Bohm-like effects on the VEVs. The VEVs are decomposed into two parts corresponding to the geometry of a straight cosmic string without compactification plus a topological part induced by the compactification of the string axis. Both contributions are even periodic functions of the magnetic fluxes with period equal to the flux quantum. The vacuum energy density is equal to the radial stress for the parts corresponding to the straight cosmic string and the topological one. Moreover, the axial stress is equal to the energy density for the parts corresponding to the straight cosmic string; however, for massive fermionic fields this does not occur for the topological contributions. With respect to the dependence on the magnetic fluxes, both the fermionic condensate and the vacuum energy density, can be either positive or negative. Moreover, for points near the string, the main contribution to the VEVs comes from the straight cosmic string part, whereas at large distances the topological ones dominate. In addition to the local characteristics of the vacuum state, we also evaluate the part in the topological Casimir energy induced by the string.     

Macroscopic strings as heavy quarks: Large-N gauge theory and anti-de Sitter supergravity

We study some aspects of Maldacena's large-N correspondence between superconformal gauge theory on the D3-brane and maximal supergravity on AdS by introducing macroscopic strings as heavy (anti-) quark probes. The macroscopic strings are semi-infinite Type IIB strings ending on a D3-brane world-volume. We first study deformation and fluctuation of D3-branes when a macroscopic BPS string is attached. We find that both dynamics and boundary conditions agree with those for the macroscopic string in anti-de Sitter supergravity. As a by-product we clarify how Polchinski's Dirichlet and Neumann open string boundary conditions arise dynamically. We then study the non-BPS macroscopic string–anti-string pair configuration as a physical realization of a heavy quark Wilson loop. We obtain the static potential from the supergravity side and find that the potential exhibits non-analyticity of the square-root branch cut in the 't Hooft coupling parameter. We put forward non-analyticity as a prediction for large-N gauge theory in the strong 't Hooft coupling limit. By turning on the Ramond–Ramond zero-form potential, we also study the vacuum angle dependence of the static potential. We finally discuss the possible dynamical realization of the heavy N-prong string junction and of the large-N loop equation via a local electric field and string recoil thereof. Throughout comparisons of the AdS–CFT correspondence, we find that a crucial role is played by “geometric duality” between the UV and IR scales in directions perpendicular to the D3-brane and parallel ones, explaining how the AdS spacetime geometry emerges out of four-dimensional gauge theory at strong coupling. Received: 21 September 2001 / Published online: 12 November 2001     

Bosonic superconducting cosmic strings. I. Classical field theory solutions

This paper explores a four-dimensional field theory in which superconducting bosonic cosmic strings can form. We solve the field equations and explore the parameter space within which the strings are superconducting. We find that the maximum allowed current is often much less than suggested by dimensional analysis. In most of the parameter space, even the maximum current in the strings is not sufficient for many of their proposed astrophysical uses and especially, the current is rarely sufficient to form “frozen” string loops.     

Two mass relations for mesons from string-quark duality

We generalize a self-consistency equation derived previously by us for the Nambu string to strings carrying SU(6) quantum numbers.The self-consistency equations are derived by considering the propagation of a string with the quantum numbers of the physical vacuum. Since we can map the world sheet that the string sweeps out onto rectangles, and the wave function of the physical vacuum is a constant, the boundary conditions are the same on all four sides of the rectangles. We can then calculate the propagator in two ways and this leads to the self-consistency equations. For the strings carrying SU(6) quantum numbers we consider the propagator o strings with the quantum numbers of the physical vacuum all along the string except for having quark quantum numbers either attached or removed from the ends. We can solve these self-consistency equations in a certain approximation and for this case they lead to mass formulae for mesons that are well satisfied in nature.