New structures of vortices: from cosmology to analogue models

• Grant number: 18/03316-2
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: August 15, 2018
• End date: September 25, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Elementary Particle Physics and Fields
• Agreement: CONFAP ; Newton Fund, with FAPESP as a partner institution in Brazil ; UK Academies
• Principal Investigator: Betti Hartmann
• Grantee: Betti Hartmann
• Visiting researcher: Florent Michel
• Visiting researcher institution: Durham University (DU), England
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research project focuses on linear topological defects arising through the spontaneous breaking of a U(1) symmetry, which determines their most salient properties. Examples are cosmic strings and vortex lines in cold atoms, respectively, which in spite of the widely different energy scales (the Electroweak or Grand Unification scales for cosmic strings, versus temperatures close to or smaller than a Kelvin for cold atoms) share important common traits. In this project, we are interested in exploring the recently discovered excited superconducting string solutions of a U(1)x U(1) model in more detail. We would like to investigate the (in)stability of the solutions, in particular we would like to understand the emission of different types of radiation during their (possible) decay. One focus will be to understand the space-time structure and the emission of gravitational waves as well as possible analogue models in cold atoms. (AU)