Are cosmic strings gravitationally stable topological defects?
Abstract
A possible mechanism for the dissapearance of an open cosmic string into gravitational radiation is described. This involves the splitting of an infinite straight cosmic string into two pieces whose ends are traveling outward at the speed of light with the associated emission of a gravitational shock wave. This model can also be used to describe the following situations: (1) the development of a growing region of different string tension within a cosmic string, and (2) the creation of a cosmic string in an otherwise flat background.
- Publication:
-
Classical and Quantum Gravity
- Pub Date:
- August 1989
- DOI:
- 10.1088/0264-9381/6/8/005
- Bibcode:
- 1989CQGra...6L.141G
- Keywords:
-
- Cosmology;
- Einstein Equations;
- Gravitational Waves;
- String Theory;
- Computational Astrophysics;
- Galactic Evolution;
- Quantum Mechanics;
- Quasars;
- Shock Waves;
- Space-Time Functions;
- Astrophysics