Abstract
Rubakov1 and Callan2 have pointed out that grand unified theory magnetic monopoles will mediate the decay of baryons, and find that the cross-section for the process should be in the strong interaction region. Others3,4 find a smaller cross-section but agree that the process will occur. Severe constraints on the density of these monopoles in the Galaxy can be deduced from astrophysical arguments5–7, but it is possible that local clustering due to the Sun8 may produce a greater density at the Earth, particularly for particles with β<10−4. Using an atmospheric Cerenkov detector, we describe here how to set a limit to the flux of monopoles on the Earth's surface at these low velocities.
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Porter, N., Clear, J., Fegan, D. et al. Upper limit for mediation of baryon decay by slow magnetic monopoles. Nature 304, 606–607 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/304606a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/304606a0
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