We present the first complete Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis of cosmological models with evolving cosmic (super)string networks, using the unconnected segment model in the unequal-time correlator formalism. For ordinary cosmic string networks, we derive joint constraints on $\mathrm{\Lambda }$ cold dark matter (CDM) and string network parameters, namely the string tension $G\mu$, the loop-chopping efficiency $c_{\mathrm{r}}$, and the string wiggliness $\alpha$. For cosmic superstrings, we obtain joint constraints on the fundamental string tension $G{\mu }_{\mathrm{F}}$, the string coupling $g_{\mathrm{s}}$, the self-interaction coefficient $c_{\mathrm{s}}$, and the volume of compact extra dimensions $w$. This constitutes the most comprehensive CMB analysis of $\mathrm{\Lambda }\mathrm{CDM}$ $\text{cosmology}+\text{strings}$ to date. For ordinary cosmic string networks our updated constraint on the string tension, obtained using Planck2015 temperature and polarization data, is $G\mu <1.1\times {10}^{-7}$ in relativistic units, while for cosmic superstrings our constraint on the fundamental string tension after marginalizing over $g_{\mathrm{s}}$, $c_{\mathrm{s}}$, and $w$ is $G{\mu }_{\mathrm{F}}<2.8\times {10}^{-8}$.

• Received 3 March 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.93.123503