Joint cosmology seminar at Tufts:

Tuesday, April 7, 2015, 2:30 pm
Robinson Hall, Room 250
Tufts University
Refreshments at 2:00 in Knipp Library, Room 251

Effects of Cosmic String Loops Inside Galaxies

Robert Brandenberger
McGill

Abstract:

I will report on a couple of initial studies of the role which cosmic string loops could play on galactic scales. Current bounds on the string tension imply that string loops cannot be the seeds of the entire galaxy. However, string loops may well form the seeds for globular clusters. Similarly, they could provide the seeds required to explain the origin of super-massive black holes at high redshifts. Constraints on the cosmic string tension from the non-observation of gamma-ray radiation from ultra-compact mini-halos will also be discussed.