THE FORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF VORTICES IN AN EXPANDING UNIVERSE

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Abstract
The formation and evolution of vortices in an expanding 2+1 dimensional space-time is analyzed numerically. We test the Kibble mechanism and show that, starting with thermal initial conditions with random phases, vortices form with a mean separation smaller than the Hubble radius. Due to the long range forces, vortices and anti-vortices move together and annihilate. We show that the phase waves which are produced during the annihilation are emitted predominantly at 90° from the axis through the incident topological defects.

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