Racetrack Inflation and Cosmic Strings

TL;DR

This paper examines the potential formation of cosmic strings within racetrack inflation models coupled to matter fields, concluding that such strings are either inflated away or prevented from forming, thus not surviving inflation.

Contribution

It analyzes the coupling of racetrack inflation to matter fields in the D3/D7 brane system and demonstrates the conditions under which cosmic strings cannot survive inflation.

Findings

Cosmic strings can form before or at the start of inflation but are inflated away.

String formation at the end of inflation is prevented by the moduli sector.

No cosmic strings survive racetrack inflation.

Abstract

We consider the coupling of racetrack inflation to matter fields as realised in the D3/D7 brane system. In particular, we investigate the possibility of cosmic string formation in this system. We find that string formation before or at the onset of racetrack inflation is possible, but they are then inflated away. Furthermore, string formation at the end of inflation is prevented by the presence of the moduli sector. As a consequence, no strings survive racetrack inflation.