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First-Order Phase Transitions in an Early-Universe Environment

Matthew Lilley
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Abstract

In first-order phase transitions in the early universe, the bubble wall is expected to be significantly slowed-down by its interaction with the surrounding plasma. We examine the behaviour of the phase of the Higgs field after two-bubble collisions, and find that phase differences equilibrate much more quickly in slow-moving bubbles than in those which expand at the speed of light. This could lead to a significant reduction in the initial density of topological defects formed at a first-order phase transition.

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Matthew Lilley. 2000-01-24. First-Order Phase Transitions in an Early-Universe Environment. https://doi.org/10.1142/9789812792129_0046

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