On the size of the smallest scales in cosmic string networks

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method to calculate the smallest scale cutoff in cosmic string networks considering mode interactions, revealing that the cutoff depends on initial perturbation spectra and varies between cosmological eras.

Contribution

It provides a novel calculation method for the gravitational back reaction cutoff, accounting for selective mode interactions and initial perturbation spectra.

Findings

Cutoff size varies with initial perturbation spectrum.

Different cutoffs are computed for radiation- and matter-dominated universes.

Mode interaction considerations refine previous estimates.

Abstract

We present a method for the calculation of the gravitational back reaction cutoff on the smallest scales of cosmic string networks taking into account that not all modes on strings interact with all other modes. This results in a small scale structure cutoff that is sensitive to the initial spectrum of perturbations present on strings. From a simple model, we compute the cutoffs in radiation- and matter-dominated universes.