NONLINEAR PROPAGATION OF NEUTRINOS IN A STRONGLY MAGNETIZED MEDIUM

The nonlinear propagation of an intense neutrino flux in an electron-p ositron plasma with equilibrium density and magnetic field inhomogenei ties is considered. It is found that the neutrinos are nonlinearly cou pled with electrostatic and electromagnetic disturbances due to weak F ermi interaction and ponderomotive forces. The process is governed by a Klein-Gordon equation for the neutrino flux and a wave equation for the plasma oscillations in the presence of the ponderomotive force of the neutrinos. This pair of equations is then used to derive a nonline ar dispersion relation which exhibits that nonthermal electrostatic an d electromagnetic fluctuations are created on account of the energy de nsity of the neutrinos. The relevance of our investigation to the anom alous absorption of neutrinos in a nonuniform magnetized medium is poi nted out. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.