Neutrino oscillations in a variable-density medium and $\nu-$ bursts due to the gravitational collapse of stars

TL;DR

This paper investigates how neutrino oscillations are affected by variable-density media in collapsing stars, showing conditions for near-complete neutrino flavor transformation with minimal oscillation depth.

Contribution

It introduces a model describing neutrino oscillations in variable-density stellar environments, highlighting conditions for significant flavor transformation during stellar collapse.

Findings

Neutrino flavor transformation can be nearly complete in collapsing star environments.

Oscillation depth can be negligible under certain density conditions.

Transformations occur in stellar cores and envelopes.

Abstract

Under certain conditions, the propagation of a beam of oscillating neutrinos in a variable-density medium takes the form of an almost complete transformation of the initial type of neutrino into another type. The depth of oscillations is then negligible. The transformation can occur in the cores and envelopes of collapsing stars.