Nonlinear neutrino-photon interactions inside strong laser pulses (1504.02722v1)

Abstract: Even though neutrinos are neutral particles and interact only via the exchange of weak gauge bosons, charged leptons and quarks can mediate a coupling to the photon field beyond tree level. Inside a relativistically strong laser field nonlinear effects in the laser amplitude can play an important role, as electrons and positrons interact nonperturbatively with the coherent part of the photon field. Here, we calculate for the first time the leading-order contribution to the axial-vector--vector current-coupling tensor inside an arbitrary plane-wave laser field (which is taken into account exactly by employing the Furry picture). The current-coupling tensor appears in the calculation of various electroweak processes inside strong laser fields like photon emission or trident electron-positron pair production by a neutrino. Moreover, as we will see below, the axial-vector--vector current-coupling tensor contains the Adler-Bell-Jackiw (ABJ) anomaly. This occurrence renders the current-coupling tensor also interesting from a fundamental point of view, as it is the simplest Feynman diagram in an external field featuring this kind of anomaly.

• The paper presents the first leading-order calculation of the axial-vector–vector current-coupling tensor in arbitrary plane-wave laser fields.
• It demonstrates that charged leptons in intense fields can mediate neutrino-photon coupling, significantly increasing photon emission probabilities in high-intensity environments.
• By incorporating the Adler-Bell-Jackiw anomaly, the study establishes a robust theoretical framework for future high-power laser experiments and advanced neutrino applications.

Insights on Nonlinear Neutrino-Photon Interactions

The paper "Nonlinear Neutrino-Photon Interactions inside Strong Laser Pulses" by Sebastian Meuren, Christoph H. Keitel, and Antonino Di Piazza offers a comprehensive analysis of neutrino interactions amid strong laser fields. This exploration adds further depth to the interactions between neutrinos and photons mediated by the nonlinear effects of an intense electromagnetic field.

Summary of Key Contributions

The authors achieve the first-ever leading-order calculation of the axial-vector--vector current-coupling tensor in an arbitrary plane-wave laser field using the Furry picture. This tensor holds significance in the theoretical modeling of electroweak processes, such as photon emission and electron-positron pair production via neutrinos in strong laser environments. What stands out is the inclusion of the Adler-Bell-Jackiw (ABJ) anomaly, making the tensor pivotal not just from an applications perspective but also for foundational theory insights.

Numerical and Theoretical Results

The analysis reveals how charged leptons inside a laser field can mediate neutrino-photon coupling beyond tree level. With laser intensity represented by the gauge- and Lorentz-invariant parameter $\xi = |e| E_0 / (m \omega c)$, the paper elaborates on how probabilities of neutrino-induced processes, such as photon emission, can be augmented significantly compared to scenarios in vacuum. Moreover, these probabilities under high-intensity fields ($\xi \gg 1$) are elaborated through techniques like the local constant-crossed field approximation.

Implications and Future Directions

The paper strengthens the understanding of neutrino behavior inside extreme fields—knowledge that's crucial when considering high-intensity experiments and potential neutrino-based technologies. The ability to model these phenomena accurately paves the way for experimental proposals that could utilize high-power laser systems, like those being developed in state-of-the-art facilities around the world. The findings could significantly affect future research into areas such as photon merging processes or even more exotic fields of neutrino physics.

The work also underscores the algebraic and computational challenges encountered when dealing with the ABJ anomaly, especially in high-energy environments. The regularization strategies could inform broader methodological approaches in quantum electrodynamics and beyond.

Conclusion

This investigation into neutrino-photon interactions amidst strong laser fields provides a solid theoretical framework and a predictive model crucial for the next era of experimental particle physics. Future developments, particularly in high-intensity laser-matter interaction, will benefit from the methods and results derived in this paper. This work not only reaffirms the interconnectedness of particle interactions within electromagnetic fields but also invites further exploration into the frontiers of quantum field theory.