Critical dynamics of symmetry breaking: Quenches, dissipation, and cosmology

Abstract

Symmetry-breaking phase transitions may leave behind topological defects with a density dependence on the quench rate. We investigate the dynamics of such quenches for the one-dimensional, Landau-Ginzburg case and show that the density of kinks, [Formula Presented] scales differently with the quench time scale, [Formula Presented] depending on whether the dynamics in the vicinity of the critical point is overdamped [Formula Presented] or underdamped [Formula Presented] Either of these cases may be relevant to the early Universe, and we derive bounds on the initial density of topological defects in cosmological phase transitions. © 1998 The American Physical Society.