Fermion Scattering at a Goldstone Mode

Abstract

We study the fermion reflection at a Goldstone mode (phase wave) which is formed during a bubble collision in a first-order cosmological phase transition. We calculate the approximate reflection and the transmission rates by solving the Dirac equation with the phase wave background. Using the results, we also calculate the damping pressure acting on the wave and the velocity change of the wave due to the pressure. This damping force can influence the dynamics of the wave and the formation of cosmological topological defects.