The statistical physics of cosmological networks of string loops

Abstract

We solve numerically the Boltzmann equation describing the evolution of a cosmic string network which contains only loops. In Minkowski space time the equilibrium solution predicted by statistical mechanics is recovered, and we prove that this solution is stable to non-linear perturbations provided that their energy does not exceed the critical energy for the Hagedorn transition. In expanding Einstein - de Sitter Universes we probe the distribution of loops with length much smaller than the horizon. For these loops we discover stable scaling solutions both in the radiation and matter dominated epochs. The shape of these solutions is very different in the two eras, with much higher energy density in the radiation epoch, and a larger average loop length in the matter epoch. These results suggest that if the conditions for formation of loop networks are indeed satisfied, these could in principle be good candidates for structure formation.

11 pages, Rev Tex

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