Dissipative String Fluids

Understand

Systems of interacting networks of strings such as cosmic strings or quantum vortices can be approximated in a certain regime as an anisotropic fluid with an equation of state depending on a conserved flux.

• The equations for ideal magnetohydrodynamics are shown to be another example of a fluid of this type.
• Previous work on these fluids is now extended to include dissipative effects.
• The new dissipative terms are discussed in terms of both standard resistive magnetohydrodynamics and small-scale structure formation in networks of cosmic strings.