Search for Magnetic Monopoles in Magnetic Reconnection Regions

TL;DR

This paper investigates the potential existence of magnetic monopoles in solar magnetic reconnection regions, using observational data and proposing laboratory experiments to detect these monopoles and their energy release effects.

Contribution

It introduces the hypothesis that magnetic monopoles may appear during magnetic reconnection and suggests observational and experimental methods to detect them.

Findings

Detection of magnetic field deflections during reconnection

Proposal that monopoles may form and annihilate in reconnection regions

Energy release potentially linked to monopole annihilation

Abstract

In order to satisfy the symmetry between electric and magnetic fields in the source free Maxwell's equations, electric charges might have magnetic counterparts: magnetic monopoles. Many methods and techniques are proposed to search for the monopoles, but no confirmed results have been obtained. Based on solar observations, we know that magnetic reconnections take place during eruptive solar activities. The magnetic fields can be broken at first and then rejoined, implying that the fields are source-relevant at the broken moment. It is speculated that the magnetic lines undergo outward deflection movement during the broken moment, as the line tying effect disappears and the magnetic tension triggers the movement. The signal of the deflection is detected for the first time by EUV and H${\alpha}$ observations in reconnection processes. We propose that the monopoles appear in magnetic reconnection regions at first, and then the annihilation of opposite polarity monopoles releases energy and perhaps also produces particles. To detect the predict monopoles, laboratory plasma experiments can be used to provide some fundamental information.