Cosmic strings and inflation
Abstract
We examine the compatibility of inflation with the cosmic string theory for galaxy formation. There is a general conflict between having sufficient string tension to effect galaxy formation, and reheating after inflation to a high enough temperature that strings may form in a thermal phase transition. To escape this conflict, we propose a class of models where the inflaton is coupled to the string-producing field. The strings are formed late in inflation as the inflaton rolls towards its zero-temperature value. A large subset of these models have a novel large-scale distribution of galaxies that is fractal, displays biasing without dynamics or feedback mechanisms, and contains voids.
- Publication:
-
Nuclear Physics B
- Pub Date:
- 1987
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0550-3213(87)90403-2
- Bibcode:
- 1987NuPhB.289..717V