Dynamics of vortex and monopole production by quench-induced phase separation

Abstract

We examine the nonequilibrium dynamics of defect formation for weakly coupled global O(N) theories possessing vortices (strings) and monopoles. It is seen that, as domains form and grow, defects are trapped on their boundaries at a density of about one defect per coherence area in the case of strings, or one per coherence volume in the case of monopoles.