Large-scale structure and peculiar velocities from infinite, curved cosmic strings

The author calculates the peculiar velocities and the large scale structure that arise in the presence of infinite, curved cosmic strings. Unlike all previous calculations concerning the cosmic string scenario of the formation of structure in the universe, he focuses his attention on the behavior of the perturbations on horizon-sized scales. He finds that velocities of ∼300-400 km/sec on distances of ∼80h-2 Mpc. are quite feasible and that even larger values may be attained within the model. He investigated the issue of wake formation, finding no evidence that wakes are formed due to curved, infinite strings. Given the numerical limitations of the calculations, only distances of ≥ 80h-2 could be probed. More accuracy is needed in order to extract conclusive evidence from the model on the issue of the formation of wakes with an inter-separation of ≤ 50h-1 Mps. He confirms the non-gaussian character of the perturbations caused by cosmic strings and, lastly, he compares the effectiveness in accreting matter of portions of infinite strings and a closed loop with mass equal to the energy of the former. He finds the portions of infinite strings to be a little less effective in accreting mass than its closed loop counterpart on wavelengths that enter the horizon very early in the matter-dominated regime, and approximately as effective as a closed loop when the wavelength being considered enters the horizon well into the matter-dominated epoch