A practical model for cosmic (p,q) superstrings

Abstract

We propose a model with a U(1)_A x U(1)_B gauge symmetry which contains topological strings carrying magnetic flux under each of the U(1)s. By calculating the tension of the first few low energy strings we show that bound states, containing flux under each of the U(1)s, are stable against decay to their constituents of lower winding number. As the model contains only Abelian gauge symmetries this model provides a pragmatic solution to the numerical modelling of cosmic-superstrings. Whilst these defects do not satisfy a BPS bound we argue that they bear sufficient similarities to warrant such a study.