Wiggly relativistic strings

Abstract

We derive the equations of motion for general strings, i.e., strings with arbitrary relation between tension \ensuremath{\tau} and energy per unit length \ensuremath{\epsilon}. The renormalization of \ensuremath{\tau} and \ensuremath{\epsilon} that results from averaging out small scale wiggles on the string is obtained in the general case to lowest order in the amount of wiggliness. For Nambu-Goto strings we find deviations from the equation of state \ensuremath{\epsilon}\ensuremath{\tau}=const in higher orders. Finally we argue that wiggliness may radically modify the cosmic gauge string scenario.