PULSAR VELOCITIES DUE TO VIOLATION OF THE EQUIVALENCE PRINCIPLE BY NEUTRINOS

We consider the pulsar velocity problem and relate it to some unconven tional neutrino oscillation mechanisms based on the violation of the e quivalence principle by neutrinos. We show that the observed pulsar ve locities may be explained by violations at the level from 10(-9) to 10 (-10) in the case of a non-universal tensor neutrino-gravity coupling, whereas there is no solution in the case of a non-universal scalar ne utrino-gravity coupling. Neutrinos may remain massless and the requisi te magnetic field strength is similar to that in the conventional mass oscillation mechanism.