The number of particles released in gauge cosmic string formation

Abstract

We give a simple derivation of a new formal expression for the number of particles produced from a conformal scalar field vacuum due to the creation of a gauge cosmic string. We find that the number of particles released in string formation may be substantially lower than what previous estimates have indicated. Our derivation also indicates that there always exists at least one critical angle deficit less than 2π, at which the particle production attains a maximum value. At the end we argue that additional (quantum) effects will occur in string formation. In particular, a new mechanism to produce small scale structure on strings is proposed.