Flux quantization and fractional charges of quarks

It is shown that an electron as well as a quark may be considered as a superposition of a continuous manifold of loopforms, i.e., of alternative forms which one quantitized magnetic flux loop may adopt. An analysis of the types of flux loops and of their modes of spinning and whirling gives a clue to the understanding of the relationship between a loop of an integer-charge lepton and a loop of a fractional-charge quark. It is shown that a consistent model exists which substantiates the claim that these elementary loops are the basic units of particle physics. Simple topological properties of various types of loops, and of linked pairs and triplets of loops, are shown to characterize leptons, mesons, and baryons. It is pointed out that the difference between electromagnetic, strong, and weak interactions is essentially one of the topology of interaction of flux loops. (U.S.)