We investigate the cosmological consequences of particle physics theories that admit stable loops of current-carrying string—vortons. In particular, we consider chiral theories where a single fermion zero mode is excited in the string core, such as those arising in supersymmetric theories with a $D$ term. The resulting vortons formed in such theories are expected to be more stable than their nonchiral cousins. General symmetry breaking schemes are considered in which strings formed at one symmetry breaking scale become current carrying at a subsequent phase transition. The vorton abundance is estimated and constraints placed on the underlying particle physics theories from cosmological observations. Our constraints on the chiral theory are considerably more stringent than the previous estimates for more general theories.

• Received 2 November 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.61.123501