Defect Junctions and Domain Wall Dynamics

Abstract

We study a number of domain wall forming models where various types of defect junctions can exist. These illustrate some of the mechanisms that will determine the evolution of defect networks with junctions. Understanding these mechanisms is vital for a proper assessment of a number of cosmological scenarios: we will focus on the issue of whether or not cosmological frustrated domain wall networks can exist at all, but our results are also relevant for the dynamics of cosmic (super)strings, where junctions are expected to be ubiquitous. We also define and discuss the properties that would make up the ideal model in terms of hypothetical frustrated wall networks, and provide an explicit construction for such a model. We carry out a number of numerical simulations of the evolution of these networks, analyze and contrast their results, and discuss their implications for our no-frustration conjecture.

13 pages, 64 extremely low resolution eps files (to comply with arXiv size limits). A version with better quality figures is available from the authors

Cited by in corpus (12)

• Generalized Global Defect Solutions
• Constraints on string networks with junctions
• Dynamics of domain wall networks with junctions
• Scaling in a SU(2)/Z_3 model of cosmic superstring networks
• Effective Action of Domain Wall Networks
• Scaling of cosmological domain wall networks with junctions
• Dynamics of Biased Domain Walls and the Devaluation Mechanism
• Constructing networks of defects with scalar fields
• Construction of topological defect networks with complex scalar fields
• Formation and evolution of kinky vortons
• The role of domain wall junctions in Carter's pentahedral model
• Cosmological Consequences of Topological Defects: Dark Energy and Varying Fundamental Constants