Quaternionic monopoles

We present the simplest non-abelian version of Seiberg-Witten theory: Quaternionic monopoles. These monopoles are associated withSpin^h(4)-structures on 4-manifolds and form finite-dimensional moduli spaces. On a Kähler surface the quaternionic monopole equations decouple and lead to the projective vortex equation for holomorphic pairs. This vortex equation comes from a moment map and gives rise to a new complex-geometric stability concept. The moduli spaces of quaternionic monopoles on Kähler surfaces have two closed subspaces, both naturally isomorphic with moduli spaces of canonically stable holomorphic pairs. These components intersect along a Donaldson instanton space and can be compactified with Seiberg-Witten moduli spaces. This should provide a link between the two corresponding theories.Partially supported by: AGE-Algebraic Geometry in Europe, contract No ERBCHRXCT940557 (BBW 93.0187), and by SNF, nr. 21-36111.92