Scaling and Small Scale Structure in Cosmic String Networks

Graham R. Vincent, Mark Hindmarsh, Mairi Sakellariadou

Published 1996-12-13Version 1

We examine the scaling properties of an evolving network of strings in Minkowski spacetime and study the evolution of length scales in terms of a 3-scale model proposed by Austin, Copeland and Kibble (ACK). We find good qualitative and some quantitative agreement between the model and our simulations. We also investigate small-scale structure by altering the minimum allowed size for loop production E_c. Certain quantities depend significantly on this parameter: for example the scaling density can vary by a factor of two or more with increasing E_c. Small-scale structure as defined by ACK disappears if no restrictions are placed on loop production, and the fractal dimension of the string changes smoothly from 2 to 1 as the resolution scale is decreased. Loops are nearly all produced at the lattice cut-off. We suggest that the lattice cut-off should be interpreted as corresponding to the string width, and that in a real network loops are actually produced with this size. This leads to a radically different string scenario, with particle production rather than gravitational radiation being the dominant mode of energy dissipation. At the very least, a better understanding of the discretisation effects in all simulations of cosmic strings is called for.