Dirac neutrino magnetic moment and the shock wave revival in a supernova explosion

TL;DR

This paper investigates how Dirac neutrino magnetic moments influence supernova shock revival by analyzing neutrino helicity conversions and their potential to inject energy into the shock region, possibly aiding supernova explosions.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of neutrino helicity conversion processes in supernovae and their impact on shock wave revival, considering specific magnetic moment values and magnetic field strengths.

Findings

Neutrino helicity conversion can inject ~10^{51} erg energy into the shock region.

Neutrino magnetic moments in the range 10^{-13} to 10^{-12} μ_B are significant for supernova dynamics.

Magnetic fields around 10^{13} G facilitate effective neutrino spin-flip processes.

Abstract

The process of the two-step conversion of the neutrino helicity, $\nu_L \to \nu_R \to \nu_L$, is analysed in the supernova conditions, where the first stage is realized due to the interaction of the neutrino magnetic moment with the plasma electrons and protons in the supernova core. The second stage is caused by the neutrino resonant spin-flip in a magnetic field of the supernova envelope. Given the neutrino magnetic moment within the interval $10^{-13} \mu_{\rm B} < \mu_\nu < 10^{-12} \mu_{\rm B}$, and with the existence of the magnetic field at the scale $\sim 10^{13}$ G between the neutrinosphere and the shock-wave stagnation region, it is shown that an additional energy of the order of $10^{51}$ erg can be injected into this region during the typical time of the shock-wave stagnation. This energy could be sufficient for stumulation of the damped shock wave.