The Number of Particles Released in Gauge Cosmic String Formation

TL;DR

This paper derives a new expression for particle production during gauge cosmic string formation, revealing lower particle release than previous estimates and identifying a critical angle deficit for maximum production.

Contribution

It introduces a simplified derivation of particle production in gauge cosmic strings and suggests a new mechanism for small scale structure formation on strings.

Findings

Particle production may be lower than previously estimated.

Maximum particle production occurs at a critical angle deficit less than 2π.

Additional quantum effects and structures are proposed in string formation.

Abstract

We give a simple derivation of a new formal expression for the number of particles produced from a conformal scalar field vacuum due to the creation of a gauge cosmic string. We find that the number of particles released in string formation may be substantially lower than what previous estimates have indicated. Our derivation also indicates that there always exists at least one critical angle deficit less than $2\pi$, at which the particle production attains a maximum value. At the end we argue that additional (quantum) effects will occur in string formation. In particular, a new mechanism to produce small scale structure on strings is proposed.