Cosmic strings are macroscopic, approximately one-dimensional objects that arise in many theories of new fundamental physics. If they are created in the early universe after inflation, they form a network of horizon-length long strings and smaller closed loops. Oscillations of the closed loops shed energy in the form of gravitational waves and thereby produce a background of stochastic gravitational radiation with a characteristic frequency spectrum. In this talk I will show how measurements of such a gravitational wave spectrum can be used to deduce the energy content of the universe at very early times and probe non-standard cosmological histories such as early matter domination or kination. I will also discuss string network formation prior to inflation, and describe how remnants of such an early network can regrow and generate a distinctive burst signal of gravitational waves.
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2021-05-19T11:00:002021-05-19T12:00:00Looking Back in Time with Gravitational Waves from Cosmic StringsEvent Information:
Cosmic strings are macroscopic, approximately one-dimensional objects that arise in many theories of new fundamental physics. If they are created in the early universe after inflation, they form a network of horizon-length long strings and smaller closed loops. Oscillations of the closed loops shed energy in the form of gravitational waves and thereby produce a background of stochastic gravitational radiation with a characteristic frequency spectrum. In this talk I will show how measurements of such a gravitational wave spectrum can be used to deduce the energy content of the universe at very early times and probe non-standard cosmological histories such as early matter domination or kination. I will also discuss string network formation prior to inflation, and describe how remnants of such an early network can regrow and generate a distinctive burst signal of gravitational waves.Event Location:
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