The Dynamics Of Vortex And Monopole Production By Quench Induced Phase Separation

TL;DR

This paper investigates how topological defects like vortices and monopoles form during symmetry-breaking phase transitions, revealing defect densities related to domain growth in global O(N) theories.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the non-equilibrium dynamics of defect formation, emphasizing defect densities during domain evolution in weakly-coupled global theories.

Findings

Defects are swept along domain boundaries during phase separation.

Defect density is approximately one per coherence area or volume.

The study advances understanding of defect formation mechanisms in symmetry breaking.

Abstract

Our understanding of the mechanism by which topological defects are formed in symmetry breaking phase transitions has recently changed. We examine the non-equilibrium dynamics of defect formation for weakly-coupled global O(N) theories possessing vortices (strings) and monopoles. It is seen that, as domains form and grow, defects are swept along on their boundaries at a density of about one defect per coherence area (strings) or per coherence volume (monopoles).