Decay of Cosmic String Loops

This animation demonstrates the formation, evolution and decay of two cosmic string loops. We start with four straight strings in a periodic box with velocities such that the strings intersect and reconnect to produce a central loop and a second “outer” loop. The loops then start to oscillate and kinks (sharp bends) can be seen traveling along the loops. Every time kinks collide, radiation (in violet color) emanates from the loops, resulting in the smoothening of the kinks and the formation of weak cusps that give off bursts of large radiation. For details, see our paper (arXiv: 1903.05102)