Composite defect extends cosmology - 3He analogy

• Main Authors: Eltsov, V. B, Kibble, T. W. B, Krusius, M, Ruutu, V. M. H, Volovik, G. E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 24.07.2000
• Subjects: Physics - Disordered Systems and Neural Networks; Physics - General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology; Physics - High Energy Physics - Phenomenology; Physics - Materials Science; Physics - Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics; Physics - Other Condensed Matter; Physics - Quantum Gases; Physics - Soft Condensed Matter; Physics - Statistical Mechanics; Physics - Strongly Correlated Electrons; Physics - Superconductivity
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.cond-mat/0007369

Phys.Rev.Lett.85:4739-4742,2000 Spin-mass vortices have been observed to form in rotating superfluid 3He-B following the absorption of a thermal neutron and a rapid transition from the normal to superfluid state. The spin-mass vortex is a composite defect which consists of a planar soliton (wall) which terminates on a linear core (string). This observation fits well within the framework of a cosmological scenario for defect formation, known as the Kibble-Zurek mechanism. It suggests that in the early Universe analogous cosmological defects might have formed.