Anomaly mediated neutrino-photon interactions at finite baryon density

Phys Rev Lett. 2007 Dec 31;99(26):261601. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.261601. Epub 2007 Dec 28.

Abstract

We propose new physical processes based on the axial vector anomaly and described by the Wess-Zumino-Witten term that couples the photon, Z-boson, and the omega-meson. The interaction takes the form of a pseudo-Chern-Simons term, approximately E(munurhosigma)omega(mu)ZnuFrhosigma. This term induces neutrino-photon interactions at finite baryon density via the coupling of the Z-boson to neutrinos. These interactions may be detectable in various laboratory and astrophysical arenas. The new interactions may account for the excess observed at the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Experiment MiniBooNE. They also produce a competitive contribution to neutron star cooling at temperatures greater, similar10(9) K. These processes and related axion-photon interactions at finite baryon density appear to be relevant in many astrophysical regimes.