Peeling U(1)-gauge cosmic strings

We numerically investigate collisions of cosmic strings carrying different winding numbers. We find that for strings with winding numbers ${\mathrm{n}}_1$ and ${\mathrm{n}}_2$, intercommutation occurs by peeling a string of winding number ‖${\mathrm{n}}_1$-${\mathrm{n}}_2$‖ from the string with the larger winding number. The resulting string connects the original colliding strings to form a state of three joined strings, but because of the peeling the eventual result is a reduction in the winding numbers of the network. Stable astrophysical strings with large winding number are thus unlikely to persist. All simulations have gauge/scalar-field mass ratio =2. .AE