Matter-induced magnetic moment and neutrino helicity rotation in external fields

Nov 29, 2016
9 pages
Published in:
  • Phys.Rev.D 94 (2016) 9, 093008
  • Published: Nov 29, 2016

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Abstract: (APS)
The induced magnetic moment that arises due to the propagation of neutrinos in a dispersive medium can affect the dynamics of the neutrino spin in an external electromagnetic field. In particular, it can cause a helicity flip of a massive neutrino in a magnetic field. In some astrophysical media, this helicity transition mechanism could be more effective than a similar process caused by the anomalous magnetic moment of the neutrino. If the neutrino energy is sufficiently high, the two helicity transition mechanisms mentioned above can compensate each other. Then a helicity flip in an external field will not occur. Calculations are carried out using both the methods of relativistic quantum mechanics and the quasiclassical Bargmann-Michel-Telegdi equation.
  • neutrino: magnetic moment
  • magnetic moment: induced
  • magnetic moment: anomaly
  • neutrino: propagation
  • neutrino: spin
  • neutrino: helicity
  • helicity: transition
  • magnetic field: effect
  • magnetic field: external field
  • quantum mechanics: relativistic