Angle deficit & non-local gravitoelectromagnetism around a slowly spinning cosmic string

Abstract

Cosmic strings, as remnants of the symmetry breaking phase in the Early Universe, may be susceptible to non-local physics. Here we show that the presence of a Poincaré-invariant non-locality -- parametrized by a factor $\exp (-\square {\ell }^2)$ -- regularizes the gravitational field and thereby changes the properties of spacetime: it is now simply connected and the angle deficit around the cosmic string becomes a function of the radial distance. Similar changes occur for the non-local gravitomagnetic field of a rotating cosmic string, and we translate these mathematical facts into the language of non-local gravitoelectromagnetism and thereby provide a physical interpretation. We hope that these insights might prove helpful in the search for traces of non-local physics in our Universe.

v2: Matches published version, 10 pages, 1 figure. v1: 9 pages, 1 figure. Essay written for the Gravity Research Foundation 2020 Awards for Essays on Gravitation, awarded an Honorable Mention

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• Quantum Detection of Conicity
• Extra Dimensions and Fuzzy Branes in String-inspired Nonlocal Field Theory
• Fate of the false vacuum in string-inspired nonlocal field theory
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• Gravitational field of scalar lumps in higher-derivative gravity
• Renormalisable Non-local Quark-Gluon Interaction: Mass Gap, Chiral Symmetry Breaking & Scale Invariance