Vortices in Theories with Flat Directions

TL;DR

This paper investigates vortex behavior in theories with flat directions, highlighting a vacuum selection mechanism driven by gauge fields and its implications for supersymmetric models and cosmology.

Contribution

It introduces a simple criterion for vacuum selection based on minimizing vector mass and explores its effects on non-topological vortices in supersymmetric models.

Findings

Vacuum selection favors vacua with minimal vector mass.

Magnetic flux in non-topological vortices can spread over large areas.

Implications for cosmology and superstring-inspired magnetic confinement.

Abstract

In theories with flat directions containing vortices, such as supersymmetric QED, there is a vacuum selection effect in the allowed asymptotic configurations. We explain the role played by gauge fields in this effect and give a simple criterion for determining what vacua will be chosen, namely those that minimise the vector mass. We then consider the effect of vacuum selection on stable (BPS) non-topological vortices in a simple Abelian model with N=2 supersymmetry which occurs as a low energy limit of Calabi-Yau compactifications of type II superstrings. In this case the magnetic flux spreads over an arbitrarily large area. We discuss the implications for cosmology and for superstring inspired magnetic confinement scenarios.