Galileon Higgs Vortices

TL;DR

This paper explores vortex solutions in a 2+1D Abelian Higgs model with Galileon-like derivative interactions, revealing unique features and gravitational effects that differ from classical vortex configurations.

Contribution

It introduces and analyzes vortex solutions with derivative self-interactions related to Galileons, highlighting their qualitative differences from standard Abrikosov-Nielsen-Olesen vortices.

Findings

Derivative interactions induce gauge invariant profiles breaking axial symmetry.

Vortex solutions exhibit distinct qualitative features from classical configurations.

Gravitational backreaction of these vortices is studied in a 3+1D extension.

Abstract

Vortex solutions are topologically stable field configurations that can play an important role in condensed matter, field theory, and cosmology. We investigate vortex configuration in a 2+1 dimensional Abelian Higgs theory supplemented by higher order derivative self-interactions, related with Galileons. Our vortex solutions have features that make them qualitatively different from well-known Abrikosov-Nielsen-Olesen configurations, since the derivative interactions turn on gauge invariant field profiles that break axial symmetry. By promoting the system to a 3+1 dimensional string configuration, we study its gravitational backreaction. Our results are all derived within a specific, analytically manageable system, and might offer indications for understanding Galileonic interactions and screening mechanisms around configurations that are not spherically symmetric, but only at most cylindrically symmetric.