Cosmic Strings and Other Topological Defects

Erscheinungsjahr 2009
ISBN: 978-0-521-65476-0
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 578 Seiten, Format (B × H): 170 mm x 244 mm, Gewicht: 987 g

Reihe: Cambridge Monographs on Mathematical Physics

Now in paperback, this book is the first comprehensive and coherent introduction to the role of cosmic strings and other topological defects in the universe. This study has been one of the major driving forces in cosmology over the last decade, and lies at the fruitful intersection of particle physics and cosmology. After an introduction to standard cosmological theory and the theory of phase transitions in the early universe, the book then describes, in turn, the properties, formation, and cosmological implications of cosmic strings, monopoles, domain walls and textures. The book concludes with a chapter considering the role of topological defects in inflationary universe models. Ample introductory material is included to make the book accessible to the wide audience of particle physicists, astrophysicists and cosmologists for whom this topic is of immediate interest.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Vilenkin, Alexander

Vilenkin, A.

Shellard, E. P. S.

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Astronomie Kosmologie, Urknalltheorie
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Quantenphysik Teilchenphysik
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Quantenphysik Radioaktivität
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Quantenphysik Hochenergiephysik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Phase transitions in the early universe; 3. Topological defects; 4. String field theory; 5. Superconducting strings; 6. String dynamics; 7. String gravity; 8. String interactions; 9. String evolution; 10. Cosmological implications of strings; 11. Structure formation with strings; 12. Cosmology of superconducting and global strings; 13. Domain walls; 14. Monopoles; 15. Textures; 16. Topological defects and inflation; References; Index.