This discussion focuses on the measurement of magnetic monopoles and the unique signatures they may produce in magnetic and electric fields. The primary method mentioned for detecting these monopoles is the use of a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), which can identify even minute magnetic sources. Historical attempts, such as the event recorded by Blas Cabrera on February 14, 1982, have not yielded reproducible evidence, leading to an upper limit estimation of one monopole per 1029 nucleons.
PREREQUISITESPhysicists, researchers in particle physics, and anyone interested in experimental methods for detecting theoretical particles like magnetic monopoles.
Searches for magnetic monopoles[edit]
A number of attempts have been made to detect magnetic monopoles. One of the simpler ones is to use a loop of superconducting wire to look for even tiny magnetic sources, a so-called "superconducting quantum interference device", or SQUID. Given the predicted density, loops small enough to fit on a lab bench would expect to see about one monopole event per year. Although there have been tantalizing events recorded, in particular the event recorded by Blas Cabrera on the night of February 14, 1982 (thus, sometimes referred to as the "Valentine's DayMonopole"[38]), there has never been reproducible evidence for the existence of magnetic monopoles.[13] The lack of such events places an upper limit on the number of monopoles of about one monopole per 1029 nucleons.