Self-consistency in models of neutrino scattering and fast flavor conversion

Abstract

Several recent numerical studies have examined the effects of neutrino neutral-current scattering on fast flavor conversion (FFC). Those studies are in apparent conflict, with some finding enhancement of flavor conversion and others finding suppression. The ones that report enhancement all use homogeneous models, and we discuss in detail the self-consistency issues that they face as a result. We reproduce scattering-enhanced FFC in our own homogeneous calculations, showing that it occurs for both neutral- and charged-current scattering and that it is due to isotropization of the angular distributions over time. Because this is the very feature of the calculations that is not self-consistent, we conclude that the enhancement effect is of unclear astrophysical relevance and may not occur in natural environments.