TOPOLOGICAL DEFECTS IN THE COSMOS AND LAB

Current theories of particle physics lend to the unavoidable conclusio n that there must have been several phase transitions in the early Uni verse. Further, in the context of these theories, it is possible that cosmological phase transitions would have produced topological defects that may be roaming our heavens today. A finding of these fossils fro m the early Universe would provide a direct confirmation of the therma l history of the cosmos, insight into astrophysical phenomena, and vit al information about particle physics. The elimination of unobserved t opological defects provides important constraints on particle physics and may also suggest novel cosmology. I describe some of the research on cosmic topological defects and recent efforts to address cosmologic al issues in condensed matter systems.