The contribution of magnetic monopoles to ponderomotive forces in plasmas

Abstract

It is well--known that when magnetic monopoles are introduced in plasma equations the propagation of electromagnetic waves is modified. This occurs because of Maxwell equations acquire a symmetrical structure due to the existence of electric and magnetic charge current densities. In this work we study the nonlinear phenomena of ponderomotive forces associated to the presence of magnetic monopoles in a plasma. We generalize the Washimi-Karpman result for the ponderomotive force on electric charges to take into account the symmetrical form of Maxwell equations in the presence of magnetic charges. It is shown that the general ponderomotive force on this plasma depends non--trivially on the magnetic monopoles, through the slowly temporal and spatial variations of the electromagnetic field amplitudes. The magnetic charges introduce corrections even if the plasma is unmagnetized. This last force induces a magnetization of the plasma, and therefore a cyclotron frequency (proportional to the square of the magnetic charge) is induced for electrons. Finally, the magnetic monopoles also experience a ponderomotive force due to the electrons. This force accelerates the magnetic charges along the direction of propagation of the electromagnetic waves. The possible consequences for experimental detection are discussed.