CHARGED GLOBAL MONOPOLES

A model containing a global SO(3) scalar isovector coupled to a local U(1) complex scalar field is investigated. It is argued that there exists a parameter range for which the complex scalar is coaxed out of its vacuum state in the core of a global monopole and gives rise to a charged global monopole. The estimated maximum charge for a quantum mechanically stable configuration has the potential for being quite large, and the Abelian Coulombic force can rival the strength of the Goldstone force within a finite range outside the core of the monopole. The possibility is explored that a global antimonopole and a global monopole with like charges can form a ''meson'' bound state. It is found, however, that owing to pair creation of light charged particles the monopoles will lose charge (unless there exists a parameter fine tuning), thus causing the mesons to decay, if they form at all.