The importance of quantum effects in superconducting cosmic strings (Q1972099)

Recently, cosmic strings have been proposed as a possible means of forming large scale structures in the universe [\textit{E. P. S. Shellard} and \textit{A. Vilenkin}, Cosmic strings and other topological defects. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, New York, Melbourne (1994); \textit{G. Gibbons, S. Hawking} and \textit{T. Vachaspati} (eds.), The formation and evolution of cosmic strings, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, New York, Melbourne (1990)]. Their distribution was computed numerically and it was shown that about 80\% form a scale-invariant distribution of loops together with long loops whose characteristic size exceeds that of the observable universe. The article under review deals with classical current-carrying cosmic string loop motion. It presents a two-dimensional simulation of the evolution of superconducting cosmic string loops making an explicit use of both the Carter formalism and the Carter-Peter rational and logarithmic equations of state describing respectively spacelike and timelike currents. It is found that for most of the parameter space the loop motion is quasiperiodic. However, the loops develop kinks and cusps, and in the case of spacelike currents, there are segments of the loop that escape the elastic regime. It is argued that quantum effects will in practice provide the dominant evolution mechanism.