Topological defects in extra dimensions and the brane world concept

Abstract:
D-dimensional (D>4) onfigurations with 4D Minkowski external space-time and global topological defects (domain walls, strings and monopoles) in extra dimensions are discussed in the context of the brane world concept. Various kinds of globally regular configurations are singled out without specifying the shape of the symmetry breaking potential V(f). Some string and monopole configurations possess two regular centres. The warp factors of other models may infinitely grow or tend to finite constant values far from the centre. We discuss the trapping properties of such configurations for ordinary matter and gravitational fields on the brane.