Monopoles connected by strings and the monopole problem

To clarify the status of proposed causality arguments limiting the annihilation rate of monopoles, we present a three-dimensional model for the formation of monopoles connected by strings. The length distribution of the strings has been found using a Monte Carlo simulation of the phase transition. The result is that long strings connecting monopoles are exponentially suppressed. The implications of our results for the monopole problem are discussed. (orig./HSI)