Magnetic Monopoles and First Order Phase Transitions in Early Universe Physics

Watch a physics lecture from Harvard CMSA's Workshop on Phase Transitions and Topological Defects in the Early Universe where Oxford researcher Michael Nee explores how magnetic monopoles can accelerate first-order phase transitions in the early universe. Learn about the unique field profiles that deviate from typical O(3)/O(4) symmetry assumptions and discover a novel numerical algorithm based on the mountain pass theorem used to determine saddle point solutions describing decay processes. Examine both simplified and Standard Model results demonstrating how monopole-catalyzed tunneling can become the dominant decay mechanism across various parameter ranges. Follow along through key topics including monopoles, interpolation techniques, subcritical bubbles, and the O2 solution while gaining insights into Beyond Standard Model (BSM) physics and early universe cosmology.