SUPERSONIC STRING MODELS FOR WITTEN VORTICES

Explicit cosmic string models of a new kind specified by two independent mass parameters are introduced for the purpose of providing a realistic representation of the macroscopic dynamical behavior of Witten-type (superconducting) vortex defects of the vacuum. Unlike the self-dual single mass parameter models previously used for this purpose, the new models successfully represent the effects of both spacelike and timelike current saturation and the feature that, for plausible parameter values, wiggle propagation is supersonic unless the current is strong and timelike.