Cosmic Strings and Other Topological Defects [Paperback]

Comprehensive introduction to the role of cosmic strings and other topological defects in the universe.Now in paperback, this book is the first comprehensive and coherent introduction to the role of cosmic strings and other topological defects in the universe. Ample introductory material makes the book accessible to the wide audience of particle physicists, astrophysicists and cosmologists for whom this topic is of immediate interest.Now in paperback, this book is the first comprehensive and coherent introduction to the role of cosmic strings and other topological defects in the universe. Ample introductory material makes the book accessible to the wide audience of particle physicists, astrophysicists and cosmologists for whom this topic is of immediate interest.This book is a comprehensive and coherent introduction to the role of cosmic strings and other topological defects in the universe. After an introduction to standard cosmological theory and the theory of phase transitions in the early universe, the book then describes, in turn, the properties, formation, and cosmological implications of cosmic strings, monopoles, domain walls and textures. It concludes with a chapter considering the role of topological defects in inflationary universe models. Ample introductory material is included to make the book readily accessible. It will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology.Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Phase transitions in the early universe; 3. Topological defects; 4. String field theory; 5. Superconducting strings; 6. String dynamics; 7. String gravity; 8. String interactions; 9. String evolution; 10. Cosmological implications of strings; 11. Structure formation with strings; 12. Cosmology of superconducting and global strings; 13. Domain walls; 14. Monopoles; 15. Textures; 16. Topological defects and inflation; References; Index. ...a model of scientific exposition...should prove to be an invaluable refel#,