Are magnetic monopoles hadrons?

TL;DR

This paper explores the possibility that magnetic monopoles could be hadrons, proposing a lattice model where monopoles interact with gluonic fields, aligning with grand unified theories.

Contribution

It introduces a lattice construction demonstrating how lower-strength magnetic monopoles can exist as hadrons interacting with gluonic fields.

Findings

Magnetic monopoles can be modeled as hadrons within lattice frameworks.

Monopoles of lower strength are possible with gluonic interactions.

Consistency with grand unified theories is established.

Abstract

The charges of magnetic monopoles are constrained to a multiple of $2\pi$ times the inverse of the elementary unit electric charge. In the standard model, quarks have fractional charge, raising the question of whether the basic magnetic monople unit is a multiple of $2 \pi/e$ or three times that. A simple lattice construction shows how a magnetic monopole of the lower strength is possible if it interacts with gluonic fields as well. Such a monopole is thus a hadron. This is consistent with the construction of magnetic monopoles in grand unified theories.