Effects of magnetic monopoles on nuclear wave functions and possible catalysis of nuclear beta decay and spontaneous fission

Mixing effects in nuclear wave functions by the strong magnetic field of a magnetic monopole are estimated. A monopole at a distance of 10 fm from a deuteron mixes the singlet and triplet spin levels with a strength comparable to the deuteron binding energy. Forbidden nuclear beta decay transitions can be enhanced by mixing nuclear wave functions with other states for which the beta decay transition is less inhibited. Particularly suitable candidates have nearby excited states connected by magnetic dipole transition to the ground state. Magnetic mixing can also strongly enhance spontaneous fission. (orig.)