On Open Membranes, Cosmic Strings and Moduli Stabilization

TL;DR

This paper explores the formation of cosmic strings in heterotic M-theory, proposing that small open membranes can act as strings and discussing their stabilization and potential creation after inflation.

Contribution

It introduces the idea that fundamental open membranes with small length can serve as cosmic strings in heterotic M-theory with stabilized moduli.

Findings

Open membranes can appear as cosmic strings with small tension.

Stabilizing five-branes close to the visible sector enables small-length membranes.

Potential for cosmic string formation after inflation in heterotic models.

Abstract

We discuss how cosmic strings can be created in heterotic M-theory compactifications with stable moduli. We conclude that the only appropriate candidates seem to be fundamental open membranes with a small length. In four dimensions they will appear as strings with a small tension. We make an observation that, in the presence of the vector bundle moduli, it might be possible to stabilize a five-brane very close to the visible sector so that a macroscopic open membrane connecting this five-brane and the visible brane will have a sufficiently small length. We also discuss how to embed such cosmic strings in heterotic models with stable moduli and whether they can be created after inflation.