This animation demonstrates the formation, evolution and decay of two global cosmic string loops. The boxes show total energy density (left) and potential energy density (right). We start with four straight strings in a periodic simulation domain with velocities such that the strings intersect and reconnect to produce a central loop and a second “outer” loop. The global string loops emit massive and massless Goldstone radiation. The kinks produced at the time of loop formation excite the string cores. Unlike in the case of gauge strings, we see significant bulging (oscillations) in the cores of these loops. For details, see our paper (arXiv: )

This animation demonstrates the formation, evolution and decay of two cosmic string loops. We start with four straight strings in a periodic box with velocities such that the strings intersect and reconnect to produce a central loop and a second “outer” loop. The loops then start to oscillate and kinks (sharp bends) can be seen traveling along the loops. Every time kinks collide, radiation (in violet color) emanates from the loops, resulting in the smoothening of the kinks and the formation of weak cusps that give off bursts of large radiation. For details, see our paper (arXiv: 1903.05102)