Work

Quantum energy density of cosmic strings with nonzero radius

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Zero-point fluctuations in the background of a cosmic string provide an opportunity to study the effects of topology in quantum field theory. We use a scattering theory approach to compute quantum corrections to the energy density of a cosmic string, using the “ballpoint pen” and “flowerpot” models to allow for a nonzero string radius. For computational efficiency, we consider a massless field in 2 + 1 dimensions. We show how to implement precise and unambiguous renormalization conditions in the presence of a deficit angle, and make use of Kontorovich-Lebedev techniques to rewrite the sum over angular momentum channels as an integral on the imaginary axis. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Source: Physical review. D/Physical review. D.

DOI: 10.1103/physrevd.110.105009

Authors: Mao Koike, Xabier Laquidain, Noah Graham

Institution: Middlebury College

Language: English

Topic: Black Holes and Theoretical Physics

Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: National Science Foundation

Awards: RUI: Understanding the evolutionary behavior of and radio emission in red quasars, RUI: Quantum and Thermal Fluctuations in Monopoles, Spacetime, and Materials