Zero-point fluctuations in the background of a cosmic string provide an opportunity to study the effects of topology in quantum field theory. We use a scattering theory approach to compute quantum corrections to the energy density of a cosmic string, using the “ballpoint pen” and “flowerpot” models to allow for a nonzero string radius. For computational efficiency, we consider a massless field in 2+1 dimensions. We show how to implement precise and unambiguous renormalization conditions in the presence of a deficit angle, and make use of Kontorovich-Lebedev techniques to rewrite the sum over angular momentum channels as an integral on the imaginary axis.
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Fractality in cosmic topology models with spectral action gravity
Abstract We consider cosmological models based on the spectral action formulation of (modified) gravity. We analyze the coupled effects, in this model, of the presence of nontrivial cosmic topology and of fractality in the large scale structure of spacetime. We show that the topology constrains the possible fractal structures, and in turn the correction terms to the spectral action due to fractality distinguish the various cosmic topology candidates, with effects detectable in a slow-roll inflation scenario, through the power spectra of the scalar and tensor fluctuations. We also discuss explicit effects of the presence of fractal structures on the gravitational waves equations.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2104330
- PAR ID:
- 10416573
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Classical and Quantum Gravity
- Volume:
- 39
- Issue:
- 16
- ISSN:
- 0264-9381
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 165007
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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