Higher order correction to the neutrino self-energy in a medium and its astrophysical applications

Abstract

We have calculated the 1/M^4 (M the vector boson mass) order correction to the neutrino self-energy in a medium. The possible application of this higher order contribution to the neutrino effective potential is considered in the context of the Early Universe hot plasma and of the cosmological Gamma Ray Burst fireball. We found that, depending on the medium parameters and on the neutrino properties (mixing angle and mass square difference) the resonant oscillation of active to active neutrinos is possible.Comment: 10 pages, revtex style, uses axodraw.sty, 1 figur