Models for Small-Scale Structure on Cosmic Strings: I. Mathematical Formalism

Abstract

We describe the formalism of a quantitative analytic model for the evolution of realistic wiggly (as opposed to Goto-Nambu) cosmic strings. The model is particularly suited for describing the evolution of small-scale structure on string networks. We discuss model solutions in the extreme limit where the wiggles make up a high fraction of the total energy of the string network (which physically corresponds to the tensionless limit) and also provide a brief discussion of the opposite (linear) limit where wiggles are a small fraction of the total energy. A companion paper will discuss the detailed modelling and scaling behavior of the small-scale wiggles in the general model, together with a basic comparison with numerical simulations.

13 pages, submitted to PRD

References in corpus (2)

• Cosmic string loops in the expanding universe
• Cosmic String Structure at the Gravitational Radiation Scale

Cited by in corpus (6)

• Extending and Calibrating the Velocity dependent One-Scale model for Cosmic Strings with One Thousand Field Theory Simulations
• Generalised velocity-dependent one-scale model for current-carrying strings
• Models for Small-Scale Structure on Cosmic Strings: II. Scaling and its stability
• Scaling solutions of wiggly cosmic strings
• Cosmic Strings as Dynamical Dark Energy: Novel Constraints
• Scaling solutions of wiggly cosmic strings: II. Time-varying coarse-graining scale solutions