A new possibility of the fast neutrino-flavor conversion in the pre-shock region of core-collapse supernova

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that fast neutrino-flavor conversion can occur in the pre-shock region of core-collapse supernovae due to electron lepton number crossings caused by coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering, with potential observational implications.

Contribution

It introduces a new mechanism for fast neutrino-flavor conversion in supernovae, emphasizing the role of ELN crossings induced by neutrino-nucleus scattering in the pre-shock region.

Findings

Fast neutrino-flavor conversion occurs in the pre-shock region.

ELN crossings are caused by coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering.

This mechanism has observable consequences for supernova neutrino signals.

Abstract

We make a strong case that the fast neutrino-flavor conversion, one of the collective flavor oscillation modes, commonly occurs in core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe). It is confirmed in the numerical data obtained in realistic simulations of CCSNe but the argument is much more generic and applicable universally: the coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering makes the electron lepton number (ELN) change signs at some inward direction and trigger the flavor conversion in the outward direction in the pre-shock region. Although the ELN crossing is tiny and that is why it has eluded recognition so far, it is still large enough to induce the flavor conversion. Our findings will have an important observational consequences for CCSNe neutrinos.