Clustering of cosmic string loops

Abstract

Observational effects of cosmic string loops depend on how loops are distributed in space. Chernoff \cite{Chernoff} has argued that loops can be gravitationally captured in galaxies and that for sufficiently small values of $G\mu$ their distribution follows that of dark matter, independently of the loop's length. We re-analyze this issue using the spherical model of galaxy formation with full account taken of the gravitational rocket effect -- loop accelerated motion due to asymmetric emission of gravitational waves. We find that only loops greater than a certain size are captured and that the number of captured loops is orders of magnitude smaller than estimated by Chernoff.