Constraints on the fundamental string coupling from B-mode experiments

Abstract

We study signatures of cosmic superstring networks containing strings of multiple tensions and Y-junctions, on the cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature and polarisation spectra. Focusing on the crucial role of the string coupling constant $g_s$, we show that the number density and energy density of the scaling network are dominated by different types of string in the $g_s\sim 1$ and $g_s\ll 1$ limits. This can lead to an observable shift in the position of the B-mode peak --- a distinct signal leading to a direct constraint on $g_s$. We forecast the joint bounds on $g_s$ and the fundamental string tension ${\mu }_F$ from upcoming and future CMB polarisation experiments, as well as the signal to noise in detecting the difference between B-mode signals in the limiting cases of large and small $g_s$. We show that such a detectable shift is within reach of planned experiments.

4 pages, 4 figures; v2: matches version published in PRL

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Cited by in corpus (25)

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• Cosmic String constraints from WMAP and the South Pole Telescope
• Constraints on Primordial Magnetic Fields from Planck combined with the South Pole Telescope CMB B-mode polarization measurements
• Did BICEP2 see vector modes? First B-mode constraints on cosmic defects
• Can topological defects mimic the BICEP2 B-mode signal?
• Future CMB constraints on cosmic birefringence and implications for fundamental physics
• Constraining topological defects with temperature and polarization anisotropies
• Observational effects from quantum cosmology
• All sky CMB map from cosmic strings integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect
• Searching for Primordial Magnetic Fields with CMB B-modes
• Cosmic Strings as Emitters of Extremely High Energy Neutrinos
• Cosmic string evolution with a conserved charge
• Constraints on Superconducting Cosmic Strings from Early Reionization
• CMB Distortions from Damping of Acoustic Waves Produced by Cosmic Strings
• Fast Analytic Computation of Cosmic String Power Spectra
• A Boltzmann treatment for the vorton excess problem
• Evading the pulsar constraints on the cosmic string tension in supergravity inflation
• Zipping and Unzipping in String Networks: Dynamics of Y-junctions
• Note on Structure Formation from Cosmic String Wakes
• Cusps and pseudo-cusps in strings with Y-junctions
• Cosmic superstring trajectories in warped compactifications
• B-mode Power Spectrum of CMB via Polarized Compton Scattering
• Y-junction intercommutations of current carrying strings
• Cosmic superstring networks with Y-junctions: Evolution, B-modes and Gravitational waves