Evidence of Cosmic Strings by the Observation of the Alignment of Quasar Polarization Axes on Mpc scale

TL;DR

This paper proposes a model where cosmic strings with azimuthal-angle correlations explain the observed alignment of quasar polarization axes on Mpc scales, linking cosmic string phase transitions to quasar polarization phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces a novel model connecting cosmic string phase transitions and quasar polarization alignments, supported by perturbation analysis and stability considerations.

Findings

Correlation explains quasar polarization alignment

Model predicts second order effects in quasar groups

High-redshift quasar data can test the model

Abstract

We find a emergent azimuthal-angle dependency of the Nielsen-Olesen vortices in the general relativistic situation just after the symmetry breaking at GUT-scale. Using a high-frequency perturbation method, we obtain in the first and second order perturbation equations $\varphi$-dependent terms left over after the phase transition of the Higgs field. Vortices with high multiplicity decay into a lattice with entangled Abrikosov vortices. The stability of this lattice of correlated flux $n=1$ vortices with preferred azimuthal-angle is guaranteed by the contribution from the bulk spacetime by means of the warp factor: the cosmic string becomes super-massive for some time during the evolution and initiates the excitations of the vortices to high multiplicity. The correlation will not fade away during the expansion by the warp factor. We used this azimuthal-angle correlation for the explanation of the recently observed alignment of polarization axes of quasars in large quasar groups. The detailed behavior of this alignment can be explained with our model. The two different orientations perpendicular to each other in quasars groups of less richness could be a second order effect in our model. There is a striking similarity between this phase transition of the gauged Higgs field and the temporarily breaking of the axially symmetry of self-gravitating cosmic string, by the appearance of non-diagonal energy-momentum tensor components. The eccentricity of the ellipsoid can be seen as order parameter. Recovery to SO(2) symmetry induces emission of gravitational and electro-magnetic radiation. More data of high-redshift quasars will be needed in order to test the second order effect predicted in our model.