$S^1\times S^2$ wormholes and topological charge

Abstract

I investigate solutions to the Euclidean Einstein-matter field equations with topology $S^1\times S^2\times R$ in a theory with a massless periodic scalar field and electromagnetism. These solutions carry winding number of the periodic scalar as well as magnetic flux. They induce violations of a quasi-topological conservation law which conserves the product of magnetic flux and winding number on the background spacetime. I extend these solutions to a model with stable loops of superconducting cosmic string, and interpret them as contributing to the decay of such loops.

18 pages (includes 6 figs.), harvmac and epsf, CU-TP-620