Direct computation of inelastic photon-neutrino processes in the Standard Model

Abstract

In this paper, we compute the Standard Model polarized amplitudes and cross sections of the processes $\gamma\nu\to\gamma\gamma \nu$, $\gamma\gamma \to \gamma\nu\bar\nu$ and $\nu\bar\nu \to \gamma\gamma\gamma$, for centre-of-mass energies $\omega$ within the range of validity of the Fermi theory. By using a large electron-mass expansion of the exact result, we also derive the first correction term to the effective, low-energy ($\omega < m_e$) formula for $\gamma\nu\to\gamma\gamma \nu$. Finally, we discuss possible astrophysical implications of our results and provide simple fits to the exact expressions.