Stochastic Gravitational Wave Background from Light Cosmic Strings

Feb, 2007
13 pages
Published in:
  • Phys.Rev.D 75 (2007) 125006
e-Print:

Citations per year

20072012201720222025024681012
Abstract: (arXiv)
Spectra of the stochastic gravitational wave backgrounds from cosmic strings are calculated and compared with present and future experimental limits. Background spectra are calculated numerically for dimensionless string tensions G mu/c^2 between 10^{-7} and 10^{-18}, and initial loop sizes as a fraction of the Hubble radius, alpha, from 0.1 to 10^{-6}. The spectra of the cosmic string backgrounds are compared with current millisecond pulsar limits and LISA sensitivity curves. For models with large stable loops (alpha=0.1), current pulsar-timing limits exclude G mu/c^2>10^{-9} and within the range of current models based on brane inflation. LISA may detect a background from strings as light as G mu/c^2 10^{-16}, corresponding to field-theory strings formed at roughly 10^{11} GeV.
  • 11.27.+d
  • 04.30.Db
  • 98.80.Cq
  • 98.70.Vc
  • gravitational radiation
  • background: stochastic
  • cosmic string: network
  • gravitational radiation: spectrum
  • string tension
  • energy: density