Global Strings Research Articles

Global cosmic string networks as a function of tension

We investigate the properties of global cosmic string networks as a function of the ratio of string tension to Goldstone-field coupling, and as a function of the Hubble damping strength. Our results show unambiguously that the string density is sensitive to this ratio. We also find that existing semi-analytical (one-scale) models must be missing some important aspect of the network dynamics. Our results point the way towards improving such models.

Stochastic gravitational wave background from global cosmic strings

Global cosmic strings are generically predicted in particle physics beyond the Standard Model, e.g., a post-inflationary global U ( 1 ) symmetry breaking which may associate with axion-like dark matter. We demonstrate that although subdominant to Goldstone emission, gravitational waves (GWs) radiated from global strings can be observable with current/future GW detectors. The frequency spectrum of such GWs is also shown to be a powerful tool to probe the Hubble expansion rate of the Universe at times prior to the Big Bang nucleosynthesis where the standard cosmology has yet to be tested.

Decay of cosmic global string loops

We numerically study the decay of cosmic global string loops due to radiation of Goldstone bosons and massive scalar ($\chi$) particles. The length of loops we study range from 200-1000 times the width of the string core. We find that the lifetime of a loop is $\approx 1.4 L$. The energy spectrum of Goldstone boson radiation has a $k^{-1}$ fall off, where $k$ is the wavenumber, and a sharp peak at $k \approx m_\chi/2$, where $m_\chi$ is the mass of $\chi$. The latter is a new feature and implies a peak at high energies (MeV-GeV) in the cosmological distribution of QCD axions.

Aharonov-Bohm defects

We discuss what happens when a field that receives an Aharonov-Bohm (AB) phase develops a vacuum expectation value (VEV), using the example of an Alice string in a $U(1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SU(2)$ gauge theory coupled with complex triplet scalar fields. We introduce scalar fields belonging to the doublet representation of $SU(2)$, charged or chargeless under the $U(1)$ gauge symmetry, that receives an AB phase around the Alice string. When the doublet develops a VEV, the Alice string becomes a global string in the absence of the interaction depending on the relative phase between the doublet and triplet, while in the presence of such an interaction the Alice string is confined by a soliton or domain wall, and therefore the spatial rotation around the string is spontaneously broken. We call such an object induced by an AB phase an ``AB defect,'' and argue that such a phenomenon is ubiquitous in various systems.

Spinning cosmic strings in conformal gravity

We investigate the space–time of a spinning cosmic string in conformal invariant gravity, where the interior consists of a gauged scalar field. We find exact solutions of the exterior of a stationary spinning cosmic string, where we write the metric as [Formula: see text], with [Formula: see text] a dilaton field which contains all the scale dependences. The “unphysical” metric [Formula: see text] is related to the [Formula: see text]-dimensional Kerr space–time. The equation for the angular momentum [Formula: see text] decouples, for the vacuum situation as well as for global strings, from the other field equations and delivers a kind of spin-mass relation. For the most realistic solution, [Formula: see text] falls off as [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] close to the core. The space–time is Ricci flat. The formation of closed timelike curves can be pushed to space infinity for suitable values of the parameters and the violation of the weak energy condition can be avoided. For the interior, a numerical solution is found. This solution can easily be matched at the boundary on the exterior exact solution by special choice of the parameters of the string. This example shows the power of conformal invariance to bridge the gap between general relativity and quantum field theory.

New type of string solutions with long range forces

We explore the formation and the evolution of the string network in the Abelian Higgs model with two complex scalar fields. A special feature of the model is that it possesses a global U(1) symmetry in addition to the U(1) gauge symmetry. Both symmetries are spontaneously broken by the vacuum expectation values of the two complex scalar fields. As we will show the dynamics of the string network is quite rich compared with that in the ordinary Abelian Higgs model with a single complex scalar field. In particular, we find a new type of string solutions in addition to the conventional Abrikosov-Nielsen-Olesen (local) string solution. We call this the uncompensated string. An isolated uncompensated string has a logarithmic divergent string tension as in the case of the global strings, although it is accompanied by a non-trivial gauge field configuration. We also perform classical lattice simulations in the 2 + 1 dimensional spacetime, which confirms the formation of the uncompensated strings at the phase transition. We also find that most of the uncompensated strings evolve into the local strings at later time when the gauge charge of the scalar field with a smaller vacuum expectation value is larger than that of the scalar field with a larger vacuum expectation value.

Scaling Density of Axion Strings.

In the QCD axion dark matter scenario with postinflationary Peccei-Quinn symmetry breaking, the number density of axions, and hence the dark matter density, depends on the length of string per unit volume at cosmic time t, by convention written ζ/t^{2}. The expectation has been that the dimensionless parameter ζ tends to a constant ζ_{0}, a feature of a string network known as scaling. It has recently been claimed that in larger numerical simulations ζ shows a logarithmic increase with time, while theoretical modeling suggests an inverse logarithmic correction. Either case would result in a large enhancement of the string density at the QCD transition, and a substantial revision to the axion mass required for the axion to constitute all of the dark matter. With a set of new simulations of global strings, we compare the standard scaling (constant-ζ) model to the logarithmic growth and inverse-logarithmic correction models. In the standard scaling model, by fitting to linear growth in the mean string separation ξ=t/sqrt[ζ], we find ζ_{0}=1.19±0.20. We conclude that the apparent corrections to ζ are artifacts of the initial conditions, rather than a property of the scaling network. The residuals from the constant-ζ (linear ξ) fit also show no evidence for logarithmic growth, restoring confidence that numerical simulations can be simply extrapolated from the Peccei-Quinn symmetry-breaking scale to the QCD scale. Reanalysis of previous work on the axion number density suggests that recent estimates of the axion dark matter mass in the postinflationary symmetry-breaking scenario we study should be increased by about 50%.

Adaptive Control of a Vehicular Platoon with Unknown Parameters and Input Variations

A switching adaptive control algorithm for automating connected vehicles in a rigid platoon pattern is proposed here. A second-order nonlinear model for the follower vehicles running on the highways is adopted and it is assumed that the parameters of the vehicles’s model, including the mass, aerodynamic drag and tire drag, are fully unknown and their values cannot be used in arriving at the control laws. Furthermore, some uncertainties and external perturbations are added to the model to consider the effects of always present modeling errors, un-modeled dynamics and external time varying perturbations on the vehicles. Besides, control input variations are inserted into the nonlinear model of the platoon to represent actuator fluctuations. Subsequently, a robust adaptive control scheme is established so that the asymptotic stability of each vehicle in the platoon is guaranteed, and this is demonstrated using the Lyapunov stability criterion. A novel spacing error variable is also introduced to achieve the global string stability for the whole platoon. Following a comprehensive mathematical analysis, a computer simulation example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness as well as the performance of the proposed control system.

Gravitational waves from global cosmic strings in quintessential inflation

The combination of non-minimal couplings to gravity with the post-inflationary kinetic-dominated era typically appearing in quintessential inflation scenarios may lead to the spontaneous symmetry breaking of internal symmetries and its eventual restoration at the onset of radiation domination. On general grounds, the breaking of these symmetries leads to the generation of short-lived topological defects that tend to produce gravitational waves until the symmetry is restored. We study here the background of gravitational waves generated by a global cosmic string network following the dynamical symmetry breaking and restoration of a U(1) symmetry. The resulting power spectrum depends on the duration of the heating process and it is potentially detectable, providing a test on the existence of non-minimal couplings to gravity and the characteristic energy scale of post-inflationary physics.

Complexity in Global Musical Belongings: Post-human Methodology in Analysis of Marginalized Teenagers in Oslo

Analyzing global complexity demands for a sensitive perspective on power and hierarchies. This article is an inquiry on how post-human theories can contribute to analytical methodological tools with the aim of emphasizing nuances, differences and marginalized local, national and global strings of musical affiliation.

Scaling properties of cosmological axion strings

There has been recent interest in the evolution and cosmological consequences of global axionic string networks, and in particular in the issue of whether or not these networks reach the scale-invariant scaling solution that is known to exist for the simpler Goto–Nambu and Abelian–Higgs string networks. This is relevant for determining the amount and spectrum of axions they produce. We use the canonical velocity-dependent one-scale model for cosmic defect network evolution to study the evolution of these global networks, confirming the presence of deviations to scale-invariant evolution and in agreement with the most recent numerical simulations. We also quantify the cosmological impact of these corrections and discuss how the model can be used to extrapolate the results of numerical simulations, which have a limited dynamic range, to the full cosmological evolution of the networks, enabling robust predictions of their consequences. Our analysis suggests that around the QCD scale, when the global string network is expected to disappear and produce most of the axions, the number of global strings per Hubble patch should be around ξ∼4.2, but also highlights the need for additional high-resolution numerical simulations.

Long-term dynamics of cosmological axion strings

We present results of new field-theoretic simulation of cosmological axion strings, which are eight times longer than previous ones. We have upgraded our simulation of physical strings in Hiramatsu et al. (2011) in terms of the number of grids as well as the suite of analysis methods. These improvements enable us to monitor a variety of quantities characterizing the dynamics of the physical string network for the longest term ever. Our extended simulations have revealed that global strings do not evolve according to the scaling solution but its scaling parameter, or the number of long strings per horizon, increases logarithmically in time. In addition, we have also found that the scaling parameter shows nontrivial dependence on the breaking scale of the Peccei-Quinn symmetry.

Gravitational interactions of finite thickness global topological defects with black holes

It is well known that global topological defects induce a repulsive gravitational potential for test particles. 'What is the gravitational potential induced by black holes with a cosmological constant (Schwarzschild-de Sitter (S-dS) metric) on finite thickness global topological defects?'. This is the main question addressed in the present analysis. We also discuss the validity of Derrick's theorem when scalar fields are embedded in non-trivial gravitational backgrounds. In the context of the above question, we consider three global defect configurations: a finite thickness spherical domain wall with a central S-dS black hole, a global string loop with a S-dS black hole in the center and a global monopole near a S-dS black hole. Using an analytical model and numerical simulations of the evolving spherical wall we show that the spherical wall experiences a repelling gravitational potential due to the mass of the central black hole. This potential is further amplified by the presence of a cosmological constant. For initial domain wall radius larger than a critical value, the repulsive potential dominates over the wall tension and the wall expands towards the cosmological horizon of the S-dS metric where it develops ghost instabilities. For smaller initial radius, tension dominates and the wall contracts towards the black hole horizon where it also develops ghost instabilities. We also show, using the same analytical model and energetic arguments that a global monopole is gravitationally attracted by a black hole while a cosmological constant induces a repulsive gravitational potential as in the case of test particles. Finally we show that a global string loop with finite thickness experiences gravitational repulsion due to the cosmological constant which dominates over its tension for a radius larger than a critical radius leading to an expanding rather than contracting loop.

How to simulate global cosmic strings with large string tension

Global string networks may be relevant in axion production in the early Universe, as well as other cosmological scenarios. Such networks contain a large hierarchy of scales between the string core scale and the Hubble scale, ln(fa/H) ∼ 70, which influences the network dynamics by giving the strings large tensions T ≃ π fa2 ln(fa/H). We present a new numerical approach to simulate such global string networks, capturing the tension without an exponentially large lattice.

New structure with SiO2-gate-dielectric select gates in vertical-channel three-dimensional (3D) NAND flash memory

This paper presents a novel vertical-channel three-dimensional (3-D) NAND flash structure with robust reliability. By employing a more reliable selector, the proposed structure overcomes the key drawback of the conventional 3-D NAND flash which is caused by charge storage in global select gate (GSG) and string select gate (SSG). Based on TCAD simulation, the conventional structure shows a threshold voltage shift of more than 1.5V, while the proposed structure is immune to this issue completely. Key parameters were analyzed to offer guidance on design and fabrication. Thickness of gate dielectric and thickness of SiO2 spacing layer beneath GSG are key parameters for the electrical property of select gate, and thus should be designed accurately.

Cosmic microwave background constraints for global strings and global monopoles

We present the first cosmic microwave background (CMB) power spectra from numerical simulations of the global O(N) linear σ-model, with N=2,3, which have global strings and monopoles as topological defects. In order to compute the CMB power spectra we compute the unequal time correlators (UETCs) of the energy-momentum tensor, showing that they fall off at high wave number faster than naive estimates based on the geometry of the defects, indicating non-trivial (anti-)correlations between the defects and the surrounding Goldstone boson field. We obtain source functions for Einstein-Boltzmann solvers from the UETCs, using a recently developed method that improves the modelling at the radiation-matter transition. We show that the interpolation function that mimics the transition is similar to other defect models, but not identical, confirming the non-universality of the interpolation function. The CMB power spectra for global strings and global monopoles have the same overall shape as those obtained using the non-linear σ-model approximation, which is well captured by a large-N calculation. However, the amplitudes are larger than the large-N calculation would naively predict, and in the case of global strings much larger: a factor of 20 at the peak. Finally we compare the CMB power spectra with the latest CMB data in other to put limits on the allowed contribution to the temperature power spectrum at multipole l = 10 of 1.7% for global strings and 2.4% for global monopoles. These limits correspond to symmetry-breaking scales of 2.9× 1015 GeV (6.3× 1014 GeV with the expected logarithmic scaling of the effective string tension between the simulation time and decoupling) and 6.4× 1015 GeV respectively. The bound on global strings is a significant one for the ultra-light axion scenario with axion masses ma ≲ 10−28 eV . These upper limits indicate that gravitational waves from global topological defects will not be observable at the gravitational wave observatory LISA.

Transplanckian censorship and global cosmic strings

Large field excursions are required in a number of axion models of inflation. These models also possess global cosmic strings, around which the axion follows a path mirroring the inflationary trajectory. Cosmic strings are thus an interesting theoretical laboratory for the study of transplanckian field excursions. We describe connections be-tween various effective field theory models of axion monodromy and study the classical spacetimes around their supercritical cosmic strings. For small decay constants f < Mp and large winding numbers n > Mp/f , the EFT is under control and the string cores undergo topological inflation, which may be either of exponential or power-law type. We show that the exterior spacetime is nonsingular and equivalent to a decompactifying cigar geometry, with the radion rolling in a potential generated by axion flux. Signals are able to circumnavigate infinite straight strings in finite but exponentially long time, t ∼ eΔa/Mp . For finite loops of supercritical string in asymptotically flat space, we argue that if topological inflation occurs, then topological censorship implies transplanckian censorship, or that external observers are forbidden from threading the loop and observing the full excursion of the axion.

Cosmic String Global Superconducting Dirac Born Infeld

Superconducting cosmic string possibly plays an important role in the formation of the universe structure. The physics of this phenomenon has been explored by studying the field theory in the string interior. Numerical solutions of superconducting strings with all relevant fields are presented in this paper. The field is constructed from a generalization of the usual field theory of superconducting global string, but the kinetic term consists of the Dirac Born Infeld (DBI). Some changes in the characteristic of the superconducting string DBI from the usual superconducting string case have been observed. The observation includes physical mechanism of all related fields.

Repeatability of a dynamic rollover test system

ABSTRACTObjective: The goal of this study was to characterize the rollover crash and to evaluate the repeatability of the Dynamic Rollover Test System (DRoTS) in terms of initial roof-to-ground contact conditions, vehicle kinematics, road reaction forces, and vehicle deformation.Methods: Four rollover crash tests were performed on 2 pairs of replicate vehicles (2 sedan tests and 2 compact multipurpose van [MPV] tests), instrumented with a custom inertial measurement unit to measure vehicle and global kinematics and string potentiometers to measure pillar deformation time histories. The road was instrumented with load cells to measure reaction loads and an optical encoder to measure road velocity. Laser scans of pre- and posttest vehicles were taken to provide detailed deformation maps.Results: Initial conditions were found to be repeatable, with the largest difference seen in drop height of 20 mm; roll rate, roll angle, pitch angle, road velocity, drop velocity, mass, and moment of inertia were all 7% different or less. Vehicle kinematics (roll rate, road speed, roll and pitch angle, global Z′ acceleration, and global Z′ velocity) were similar throughout the impact; however, differences were seen in the sedan tests because of a vehicle fixation problem and differences were seen in the MPV tests due to an increase in reaction forces during leading side impact likely caused by disparities in roll angle (3° difference) and mass properties (2.2% in moment of inertia [MOI], 53.5 mm difference in center of gravity [CG] location).Conclusions: Despite those issues, kinetic and deformation measures showed a high degree of repeatability, which is necessary for assessing injury risk in rollover because roof strength positively correlates with injury risk (Brumbelow 2009). Improvements of the test equipment and matching mass properties will ensure highly repeatable initial conditions, vehicle kinematics, kinetics, and deformations.

Axion dark matter: strings and their cores

Axions constitute a well-motivated dark matter candidate, and if PQ symmetry breaking occurred after inflation, it should be possible to make a clean prediction for the relation between the axion mass and the axion dark matter density. We show that axion (or other global) string networks in 3D have a network density that depends logarithmically on the string separation-to-core ratio. This logarithm would be about 10 times larger in axion cosmology than what we can achieve in numerical simulations. We simulate axion production in the early Universe, finding that, for the separation-to-core ratios we can achieve, the changing density of the network has little impact on the axion production efficiency.