Some remarks on topological defects and their gravitational consequences

Abstract

We calculate the energy radiated by a uniformly moving charged scalar particle in the spacetime of a point-like global monopole, for small solid angle deficit. We show that this energy is proportional to the cube of the velocity of the particle and to the cube of the Lorenz factor, in the non-relativistic and ultra-relativistic cases, respectively. We also determine the energy shifts of a hydrogen atom placed in the background spacetime of a cosmic string and we discuss the possibility that these shifts could provide a means of probing for the presence of this topological defect in the Universe.