Currents in Cosmic Strings and Associated Cosmology
Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris
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Abstract
Cosmic strings are a generic prediction of Grand Unified Theories that can leave a sufficient imprint in the Cosmic Microwave Background anisotropies to open an observational window into an otherwise unreachable high energy domain. Being formed as topological defects of a Higgs field, they are also naturally coupled to various other fields, that can lead to superconducting-like currents, hence radically changing their structure and properties. After having summarized the standard string network behaviour and its cosmological effects, I will concentrate on the current-carrying properties and show how those can modify drastically the overall picture. In particular, I will exhibit the many current case, including the special non abelian situation that requires more care to be fully understood.