Superconducting Cosmic Strings
| Category | Progenitor | Type | Energy Mechanism | Emission Mechanism | Counterparts | References | Brief Comments | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LF Radio | HF Radio | Microwave | Terahertz | Optical/IR | X-rays | Gamma-rays | Gravitational Waves | Neutrinos | |||||||
| Other | Superconducting Cosmic Strings | Single | Cusp decay | -- | Yes | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | GRB if jet aligned |
Yes | Yes | http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2015AASP....5...43Z, http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/bib_query?arXiv:1807.01976, http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/bib_query?arXiv:0802.0711 | High energy cosmic rays are also expected. |
Definitions: LF Radio (3 MHz to 3 GHz); HF Radio (3 GHz to 30 GHz); Microwave (30 to 300 GHz)
Model Description
A cosmic string becomes superconducting when coupled with electromagnetism; achievable through the unbroken symmetry of an extra Higgs field in the formation of the string. Various mechanisms have been considered in which superconducting cosmic strings may produce an FRB, such as: string oscillations, the collisions of string structures (cusps and kinks), and the interaction of a current-carrying loop in the magnetic field of a galaxy. In the last scenario listed, the event rate of FRBs indicates a loop size consistent with strings formed during the radiation era. The emission from superconducting cosmic strings is linearly polarized - an intrinsic signature that is independent of frequency and is not affected by polarization via the ISM. Expected counterparts are other EM counterparts - specifically, GRBs, cosmic rays, and neutrinos - and GWs.
Observational Constraints
-