Testing common approximations of neutrino fast flavor conversion

TL;DR

This paper critically examines common approximations in modeling neutrino fast flavor conversion in supernovae and neutron star mergers, highlighting limitations that impact the accuracy of current simulation approaches.

Contribution

The study identifies three key limitations in existing FFC approximations, guiding future research toward more accurate and reliable models.

Findings

Approximating continuous evolution as discrete instabilities introduces errors.

Assuming spatial homogeneity oversimplifies the complex dynamics.

FFC is not necessarily coupled with instability, contrary to some assumptions.

Abstract

A new chapter is opening in the theory of core-collapse supernovae and neutron star mergers as simulations of these events begin to incorporate fast flavor conversion (FFC) and other forms of neutrino flavor mixing. Using numerical experiments, we show that the approximations of FFC that have been implemented so far are limited by at least two of three factors: (1) approximating continuous evolution as a discrete sequence of instabilities, (2) using spatially homogeneous asymptotic states, and (3) assuming that FFC must be accompanied by instability. The factors we identify in this work will be important considerations as the research area progresses from initial exploratory studies to more quantitatively precise assessments.