Cosmic Strings

Details Cosmic Strings Cosmic Strings

2008-11-08

arxiv.org/abs/0811.1277v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Draft version, submitted 1 February 2008. This is a contribution to be published in Meyers, Robert (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Compl

Scientific paper

Cosmic strings are linear concentrations of energy that form whenever phase transitions in the early universe break axial symmetries as originally shown by Kibble. They are the result of frustrated order in the quantum fields responsible for elementary particles and their interactions. For about two decades, motivation for their study was provided by the possibility that they could be behind the density inhomogeneities that led to the observed large-scale structures in the universe. Precision observations, particularly of the cosmic microwave background radiation, have limited strings to a sub-dominant role in structure formation. More recently, interest has been revived with the realization that there may be strong links between field theory cosmic strings and fundamental strings. The latter are the supposed ultimate building blocks of matter, and in their original context of superstring theory were thought to be microscopic. However, in its modern version---sometimes referred to as M-theory---it is possible and perhaps even mandatory to have macroscopic (cosmological-sized) fundamental strings...

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Cosmic Strings does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Cosmic Strings, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cosmic Strings will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-245729