String Evolution in Open Universes

Abstract

The velocity-dependent `one-scale' model of Martins and Shellard is used to study the evolution of a cosmic string network (and the corresponding loop population) in open universes. It is shown that in this case there is no linear scaling regime and that even though curvature still dominates the dynamics, at late times strings become the main component of the universe. We also comment on the possible consequences of these results.