Brane factories

We propose that higher-dimensional extended objects (<f>p</f>-branes) are created by super-Planckian scattering processes in theories with TeV scale gravity. As an example, we compute the cross section for <f>p</f>-brane creation in a <f>(n+4)</f>-dimensional spacetime with asymmetric compactification. We find that the cross section for the formation of a brane which is wounded on a compact submanifold of size of the fundamental gravitational scale is larger than the cross section for the creation of a spherically symmetric black hole. Therefore, we predict that branes are more likely to be created than black holes in super-Planckian scattering processes in these manifolds. The higher rate of <f>p</f>-brane production has important phenomenological consequences, as it significantly enhances possible detection of non-perturbative gravitational events in future hadron colliders and cosmic rays detectors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]