Stability of string defects in models of non-Abelian symmetry breaking

TL;DR

This paper introduces homilia strings, a new topological defect stabilized by interactions, and explores their stability, dynamics, and implications for electroweak and GUT scale models, including their inability to form stable vortons.

Contribution

It presents the concept of homilia strings, analyzes their stability and interactions, and discusses their cosmological implications in non-Abelian symmetry breaking models.

Findings

Homilia strings can form stable electroweak strings.

Intersection of homilia strings corresponds to sphalerons.

Electroweak homilia string loops cannot form stable vortons.

Abstract

In this paper we describe a new type of topological defect, called a homilia string, which is stabilized via interactions with the string network. Using analytical and numerical techniques, we investigate the stability and dynamics of homilia strings, and show that they can form stable electroweak strings. In SU(2)xU(1) models of symmetry breaking the intersection of two homilia strings is identified with a sphaleron. Due to repulsive forces, the homilia strings seperate, resulting in sphaleron annihilation. It is shown that electroweak homilia string loops cannot stabilize as vortons, which circumvents the adverse cosmological problems associated with stable loops. The consequences for GUT scale homilia strings are also discussed.