A Direct Search for Stable Magnetic Monopoles Produced in Positron-Proton Collisions at HERA

TL;DR

This study conducted a direct search for magnetic monopoles produced in positron-proton collisions at HERA, using a SQUID magnetometer to detect monopoles stopped in the beam pipe, but found none, setting upper limits on production cross sections.

Contribution

It is the first direct experimental search for magnetic monopoles in e^+ p collisions at HERA energies, establishing new upper limits on their production.

Findings

No magnetic monopoles were detected in the beam pipe.

Upper limits on monopole production cross sections were established.

The search constrained monopole properties within the experimental sensitivity.

Abstract

A direct search has been made for magnetic monopoles produced in e^+ p collisions at a centre of mass energy of 300 GeV at HERA. The beam pipe surrounding the interaction region in 1995-1997 was investigated using a SQUID magnetometer to look for stopped magnetic monopoles. During this time an integrated luminosity of 62 pb^{-1} was delivered. No magnetic monopoles were observed and charge and mass dependent upper limits on the e^+ p production cross section are set.