Anomaly mediated neutrino-photon interactions at finite baryon density

TL;DR

This paper introduces new neutrino-photon interaction processes at finite baryon density, derived from axial vector anomaly and Wess-Zumino-Witten terms, with potential implications for astrophysics and laboratory experiments.

Contribution

It proposes a novel pseudo-Chern-Simons interaction term coupling photon, Z-boson, and omega-meson, leading to detectable neutrino-photon interactions in dense baryonic environments.

Findings

Potential explanation for MiniBooNE excess

Contribution to neutron star cooling at high temperatures

Relevance to various astrophysical regimes

Abstract

We propose new physical processes based on the axial vector anomaly and described by the Wess-Zumino-Witten term that couples the photon, Z-boson, and the omega-meson. The interaction takes the form of a pseudo-Chern-Simons term, $\sim \epsilon_{\mu\nu\rho\sigma}\omega^\mu Z^\nu F^{\rho\sigma}$. This term induces neutrino-photon interactions at finite baryon density via the coupling of the Z-boson to neutrinos. These interactions may be detectable in various laboratory and astrophysical arenas. The new interactions may account for the MiniBooNE excess. They also produce a competitive contribution to neutron star cooling at temperatures >10^9 K. These processes and related axion--photon interactions at finite baryon density appear to be relevant in many astrophysical regimes.