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Monopolium
 Megastructures such as this two million kilometre Banks Orbital would be impossible without monopolium bracing |
Ultra-dense hyper-material first developed by the early S2 level intelligences. Forms the basis for S3 level picotechnology.
Monopolium is made possible by the vastly greater mass and field strength of the magnetic monopole compared to 'conventional' sub-atomic particles such as protons. Under the proper conditions, a magnetic monopole brought into proximity with, for example, a hydrogen atom will strip away the atom's proton and effectively turn the atom inside out. The monopole becomes the "center" of the atom, 1000 times heavier than the proton (where the monopole mass is 1000m GeV), and the proton "orbits" the monopole, 2000 times heavier than the electron. The electron is essentially ejected into an electron sea (similar to metals). The orbital radius of this new "atom" is inversely proportional to its mass; hence, the proton is much closer to the monopole than an electron would be to a proton in an ordinary atom. Pure monopolium is therefore about ~2mE6 times denser than normal matter.
As a result of its metal-like atomic structure, monopolium is reflective across a wide range of frequencies extending into the gamma range. However, due to the increased photon absorption caused by the proton clouds orbiting the monopolium 'nuclei,' the material has a darker sheen, looking more like polished pewter or brushed steel than mirror silvery metal. Often faint blue or violet tinges can be seen when monopolium surfaces are viewed from certain angles due to the tendency of the material to reflect higher frequencies of light.
Monopolium, in addition to being tremendously denser than 'normal' matter, is also vastly stronger. It is able to withstand almost any extreme of impact or pressure, as well as temperatures into the nuclear range. It reflects electromagnetic radiation up to and including gamma ray frequencies and is superconducting to nearly thermonuclear temperatures. In addition, the material is possessed of a powerful magnetic field since it is made of either only North or only South monopoles. Bringing North and South monopoles into contact with each other will result in the destruction of both particles, although proton repulsion will prevent such effects under all but extreme environmental conditions.
Controlled manufacture and mass production of monopolium is a delicate and complicated process requiring the advanced control and logistics abilities of Second Singularity level minds. The mixture of conventional matter with magnetic monopoles can result in the release of considerable amounts of energy, and care must be taken to prevent a runaway reaction resulting in an explosion that drives the constituent particles apart (as well as potentially causing considerable damage to the surrounding environment). Despite these difficulties, the early S2 quickly mastered the techniques of bulk monopolium manufacture and employed it in numerous applications such as tidal and acceleration compensator masses, ultra-fine, hyper-strength cables and braces for use in megastructural engineering, and near-indestructible coatings for conversion drive rocket nozzles and massive military transports and weapons platforms. Perhaps most famously, bulk monopolium forms the basis for the 'magical' technology of the space-time catapult, the first 'reactionless' propulsion system devised by Terragens.
Although most commonly associated with the Second Singularity, monopolium has actually had its greatest impact when employed within the devices of Third Singularity minds, resulting in a technological revolution that many see as comparable in scope to the mastery of fire, agriculture, and nanotechnology in earlier eras.
S3 level picotechnology is largely based on the use of complex (and in sufficiently energy and mass rich environments, self-replicating) devices made of monopolium. Monopolium circuitry is not limited by the chemical bonding strengths that more conventional materials are subject to and can operate a million times faster than computronium made from 'normal' matter. The ability of monopolium to reflect and refract gamma rays permits the creation of submicroscopic gamma ray microscopes, telescopes, and lasers.
Monopolium technology forms the basis for a host of complex robotic devices able to operate deep below planetary surfaces, within stellar interiors, and even on the surfaces of neutron stars. If operating within a sufficiently energetic environment, many of these devices can even self-replicate, using the high energy and mass resources available to generate magnetic monopoles and monopolium particles and then assembling these particles into additional complex, self-replicating devices.
Finally, it is commonly believed that at least some of the vastly powerful 'space-time engineering' of the highest S-levels makes at least some use of monopolium technology, although in general the archai neither confirm nor deny such allegations, and often their answers are contradictory.
Modosophont exposure to monopolium or monopolium-based technology
may seem rare but is often ubiquitous (especially in the Inner Sphere),
usually in the form of travel on a particularly advanced conversion
drive vessel, a visit to a Banks
Orbital or other structure employing monopolium bracing, or the use
of the 'magic' ultra-speed routers and processors that underlie the
more advanced information system and planetary data nets. The material
forms an important, perhaps vital, but often overlooked component of
modern civilization. It is not entirely hyperbole (the diligent efforts
of the NoCoZo marketing combines notwithstanding) to call the modern
era the Monopolium Age.
