A convincing explanation for the observed pulsar large peculiar velocities is
still missing. We argue that any viable particle physics solution would most
likely involve the resonant production of a non-interacting neutrino νs of
mass mνs∼20--50 keV. We propose a model where anisotropic magnetic
field configurations strongly bias the resonant spin flavour precession of tau
antineutrinos into νs. For internal magnetic fields B_{int} \gsim
10^{15} G a νˉτ-νs transition magnetic moment of the order of
10−12 Bohr magnetons is required. The asymmetric emission of νs from
the core can produce sizeable natal kicks and account for recoil velocities of
several hundred kilometers per second.Comment: 14 pages, AASTEX, 2 figures (uses epsfig). Minor typos corrected.
Added acknowledgments to the funding institutes BID and Colciencia