Zero modes of six-dimensional Abelian vortices

Abstract

We analyze the fluctuations of Nielsen-Olesen vortices arising in the six-dimensional Abelian-Higgs model. The regular geometry generated by the defect breaks spontaneously six-dimensional Poincaré symmetry leading to a warped space-time with finite four-dimensional Planck mass. As a consequence, the zero mode of the spin two fluctuations of the geometry is always localized but the graviphoton fields, corresponding to spin one metric fluctuations, give rise to zero modes which are not localized either because of their behaviour at infinity or because of their behaviour near the core of the vortex. A similar situation occurs for spin zero fluctuations. Gauge field fluctuations exhibit a localized zero mode.