Nielsen-Olesen vortex in varying-alpha theories - art. no. 023521

We consider soliton solutions to Bekenstein's theory, for which the fine st ructure constant alpha = e(2)/(4 pi(h) over barc) is allowed to vary due to the presence of a dielectric field pervading the vacuum. More specifically we investigate the effects of a varying alpha upon a complex scalar field with a U(1) electromagnetic gauge symmetry subject to spontaneous symmetry breaking. We find vortex solutions to this theory, similar to the Nielsen-O lesen vortex. Near the vortex core the electric charge is typically much la rger than far away from the string, lending these strings a superconducting flavor. In general the dielectric field coats the usual local string with a global string envelope. We discuss the cosmological implications of netwo rks of such strings, with particular emphasis on their ability to generate inhomogeneous recombination scenarios. We also consider the possibility of the dielectric being a charged free field. Even though the vacuum of such a field is trivial, we find that the dielectric arranges itself in the shape of a local string, with a quantized magnetic flux at the core-presumably b orrowing these topological features from the underlying Nielsen-Olesen vort ex.