Dark matter from cosmic defects on galactic scales?

N. Guerreiro, P. P. Avelino, J. P. M. de Carvalho, C. J. A. P. Martins

Abstract
We discuss the possible dynamical role of extended cosmic defects on galactic scales, specifically focusing on the possibility that they may provide the dark matter suggested by the classical problem of galactic rotation curves. We emphasize that the more standard defects (such as Goto-Nambu strings) are unsuitable for this task, but show that more general models (such as transonic wiggly strings) could in principle have a better chance. In any case, we show that observational data severely restricts any such scenarios.

Physical Review D
Volume 78, Page 067302.1
September 2008

DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.78.067302
ADS Bibliographic code: 2008PhRvD..78f7302G