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Cosmological evolution of Witten superconducting string networks

I. Yu. Rybak, C. J. A. P. Martins, P. Peter, E. P. S. Shellard

Abstract
We consider the evolution of current-carrying cosmic string networks described by the charge-velocity-dependent one-scale (CVOS) model beyond the linear equation-of-state regime, specifically focusing on the Witten superconducting model. We find that, generically, for almost chiral currents, the network evolution reduces dynamically to that of the linear case, which has been discussed in our previous work. However, the Witten model introduces a maximum critical current, which constrains the network scaling behavior during the radiation era when currents can grow and approach this limit. Unlike the linear model, only if the energy density in the critical current is comparable to the bare string tension will there be substantial backreaction on the network evolution, thus changing the observational predictions of superconducting strings from those expected from a Nambu-Goto network. During the matter era, if there are no external sources, then dynamical effects dilute these network currents, and they disappear at late times.

Keywords
Cosmic strings & domain walls, Gravitation, Cosmology & Astrophysics

Physical Review D
Volume 107, Issue 12, Page 10
2023 June

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Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbra
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia COMPETE 2020 PORTUGAL 2020 União Europeia