Mathematical Physics and String Theory
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(10.02.) Probing the scale of grand unification with gravitational waves

Valerie Domcke (CERN and Ecole Polytechnique, Lausanne)

10.02.2022 at 16:15

Cosmic strings arise as remnants of phase transitions in the early Universe, often related to theories of grand unification (GUTs). If such a phase transitions occurs at high energies, the resulting cosmic string network generates a sizable amount of gravitational waves. Most work so far has focused on the gravitational wave signal from topologically stable cosmic strings. In this talk I will introduce metastable cosmic strings, which are a generic consequence of many GUTs. I will discuss how this idea can be probed in various ongoing and upcoming gravitational wave experiments, from pulsar timing arrays to space- and ground-based interferometers.

Arnold Sommerfeld Center
Theresienstrasse 37
Room 348
via ZOOM