Collective neutrino–plasma interactions

The theoretical framework for the study of nonlinear neutrino–plasma interactions is presented. The quasiclassical single neutrino dynamics is examined in detail, demonstrating the features giving rise to plasma instability scenarios, and establishing analogies with electron and photon dynamics in a plasma. Using the relativistic kinetic equations for the neutrinos coupled with the plasma, the classic nonlinear collisionless plasma processes are examined; the neutrino streaming instability, and neutrino Landau damping. The astrophysical consequences of collective neutrino–plasma interactions in supernovas and neutron stars will also be discussed.