Cosmic String Loop Clustering in a Milky Way Halo
Published:Dec 29, 2025 19:14
•1 min read
•ArXiv
Analysis
This paper investigates the capture and distribution of cosmic string loops within a Milky Way-like halo, considering the 'rocket effect' caused by anisotropic gravitational radiation. It uses N-body simulations to model loop behavior and explores how the rocket force and loop size influence their distribution. The findings provide insights into the abundance and spatial concentration of these loops within galaxies, which is important for understanding the potential observational signatures of cosmic strings.
Key Takeaways
- •The study uses N-body simulations to model cosmic string loop behavior within a Milky Way-like halo.
- •The 'rocket effect' from anisotropic gravitational radiation is incorporated, influencing loop capture.
- •A peak in the number of captured loops is found at a specific length parameter.
- •Loops with weaker rocket forces trace dark matter, while others concentrate towards the halo center.
Reference
“The number of captured loops exhibits a pronounced peak at $ξ_{\textrm{peak}}≈ 12.5$, arising from the competition between rocket-driven ejection at small $ξ$ and the declining intrinsic loop abundance at large $ξ$.”