Comparison of cosmic string and superstring models to NANOGrav 12.5-year results
José J. Blanco-Pillado, Ken D. Olum, Jeremy M. Wachter
Abstract
We compare the spectrum of the stochastic gravitational wave background produced in several models of cosmic strings with the common-spectrum process recently reported by NANOGrav. We discuss theoretical uncertainties in computing such a background, and show that despite such uncertainties, cosmic strings remain a good explanation for the potential signal, but the consequences for cosmic string parameters depend on the model. Superstrings could also explain the signal, but only in a restricted parameter space where their network behavior is effectively identical to that of ordinary cosmic strings.
Topics & Concepts
Cosmic stringSuperstring theoryPhysicsString (physics)Gravitational waveCOSMIC cancer databaseSpace (punctuation)Theoretical physicsGravitational wave backgroundParticle physicsAstrophysicsSupersymmetryComputer scienceOperating systemCosmology and Gravitation TheoriesPulsars and Gravitational Waves ResearchGalaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena