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Title: Magnetic monopole plasma oscillations and the survival of Galactic magnetic fields

Journal Article · · Astrophys. J.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/165633· OSTI ID:5776005

This paper explores the general nature of magnetic-monopole plasma oscillations as a theoretical possibility for the observed Galactic magnetic field in the presence of a high abundance of magnetic monopoles. The modification of the hydromagnetic induction equation by the monopole oscillations produces the half-velocity effect, in which the magnetic field is transported bodily with a velocity midway between the motion of the conducting fluid and the monopole plasma. Observational studies of the magnetic field in the Galaxy, and in other galaxies, exclude the half-velocity effect, indicating that the magnetic fields is not associated with monopole oscillations. In any case the phase mixing would destroy the oscillations in less than 100 Myr. The conclusion is that magnetic monopole oscillations do not play a significant role in the galactic magnetic fields. Hence the existence of galactic magnetic fields places a low limit on the monopole flux, so that their detection - if they exist at all - requires a collecting area at least as large as a football field. 47 references.

Research Organization:
Chicago Univ., IL
OSTI ID:
5776005
Journal Information:
Astrophys. J.; (United States), Vol. 321
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English