TOPOLOGICAL DEFECT FORMATION AFTER INFLATION ON LATTICE SIMULATION - ART. NO. 083516

We consider the formation of topological defects after inflation. In o rder to take into account the effects of the rescattering of fluctuati ons, we integrate the classical equation that describes the evolution of a complex scalar field on the two-dimensional lattice with a slab s ymmetry. The growth of fluctuations during preheating is found not to be enough for defect formation, and rather a long stage of the rescatt ering of fluctuations after preheating is necessary. We conclude that the topological defects are not formed if the breaking scale eta is la rger than similar to(2 - 3) x 10(16) GeV. [S0556-2821(98)09820-8].