  Numerical study of order parameter dynamics in the course of second order
(Landau-Ginzburg) symmetry breaking transitions shows that the density of
topological defects, kinks, is proportional to the fourth root of the rate of
the quench. This confirms the more general theory of domain-size evolution in
the course of symmetry breaking transformations proposed by one of us
\cite{Zurek85}. Using these ideas, it is possible to compute the density of
topological defects from the quench timescale and from the equilibrium scaling
of the correlation length and relaxation time near the critical point.

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology;Condensed Matter;High Energy Physics - Phenomenology