2013/11/27 by Jolyon Bloomfield, Jolyon K. Bloomfield, David F. Chernoff · 1 citation
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Achromatic lens #Astronomy #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astrophysics #Cosmic string #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena #Galaxy #Geodesic #Geometry #Gravitational lens #Gravitational microlensing #Mathematics #Observer (physics) #Particle physics #Physics #Quantum mechanics #String (physics) #Superstring theory #Supersymmetry #Theoretical physics #astro-ph.CO #gr-qc #hep-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevd.89.124003
published as Phys. Rev. D 89, 124003 (2014) · 20 pages, 19 figures
arxiv created 2013/11/27 · openalex publication_date 2014/06/04 · arxiv updated 2014/06/11 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Cosmic superstring loops within the galaxy microlens background point sources lying close to the observer-string line of sight. For suitable alignments, multiple paths coexist and the (achromatic) flux enhancement is a factor of two. We explore this unique type of lensing by numerically solving for geodesics that extend from source to observer as they pass near an oscillating string. We characterize the duration of the flux doubling and the scale of the image splitting. We probe and confirm the existence of a variety of fundamental effects predicted from previous analyses of the static infinite straight string: the deficit angle, the Kaiser-Stebbins effect, and the scale of the impact parameter required to produce microlensing. Our quantitative results for dynamical loops vary by O(1) factors with respect to estimates based on infinite straight strings for a given impact parameter. A number of new features are identified in the computed microlensing solutions. Our results suggest that optical microlensing can offer a new and potentially powerful methodology for searches for superstring loop relics of the inflationary era.