The Mathematical Theory of Cosmic Strings - Cosmic Strings in the Wire Approximation

This book is a comprehensive survey of the current state of knowledge about the dynamics and gravitational properties of cosmic strings treated in the idealized classical approximation as line singularities described by the Nambu-Goto action. The author's purpose is to provide a standard reference to all work that has been published since the mid-1970s and to link this work together in a single conceptual framework and a single notational formalism. A working knowledge of basic general relativity is assumed. The book will be essential reading for researchers and postgraduate students in mathematics, theoretical physics, and astronomy interested in cosmic strings.

List of contents

Part I String dynamics in a fixed background: The elements of string dynamics. String dynamics in Minkowski Spacetime. A bestiary of known trajectories in Minkowski Spacetime. String dynamics in a Robertson-Walker metric. other background metrics. Part II The gravitational field of a cosmic spring: Infinite straight strings. Systems of straight strings and closed timelike curves. Traveling-wave solutions and the interaction of strings with gravitational waves. Circular cosmic strings. Part III Towards a self-consistent theory of string dynamics: The weak-field approximation. The gravitational field at small distances. Cosmic strings and black holes.

About the author

M.R. Anderson

Summary

Presents a comprehensive survey of the state of knowledge about the dynamics and gravitational properties of cosmic strings treated in the idealized classical approximation as line singularities described by the Nambu-Goto action. This book is suitable for postgraduate students in mathematics, theoretical physics, and astronomy.

Product details

• Authors: M.R. Anderson, Malcolm R. Anderson
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 18.11.2002
• EAN: 9780750301602
• ISBN: 978-0-7503-0160-2
• No. of pages: 392
• Weight: 890 g
• Series: Series in High Energy Physics, Cosmology and Gravitation; Series in High Energy Physics, Cosmology and Gravitation
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Mathematics > General, dictionaries; Astrophysics, MATHEMATICS / Applied, SCIENCE / Physics / Astrophysics, SCIENCE / Physics / Relativity, Astronomy, space & time, Particle & high-energy physics, Relativity physics, Maths for scientists, Astronomy, space and time, SCIENCE / Space Science / Astronomy, Particle and high-energy physics, SCIENCE / Physics / Particle