Vortex String Formation in a 3D U(1) Temperature Quench
  We report the first large scale numerical study of the dynamics of the second order phase transition of a U(1) $\lambda \phi^4$ theory in three spatial dimensions. The transition is induced by a time-dependent temperature drop in the heat bath to which the fields are coupled. We present a detailed account of the dynamics of the fields and vortex string formation as a function of the quench rate. The results are found in good agreement to the theory of defect formation proposed by Kibble and Zurek. 
Nuno D. Antunes (Geneva), Luis M.A. Bettencourt (Los Alamos) and   Wojciech H. Zurek (Los Alamos)