Events
Theory Seminar (High Energy/Cosmology) |
Events on Monday, October 26th, 2026
- Prospects for Supernova Magnetometry with Neutrinos
- Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
- Place: Chamberlin 5280
- Speaker: Garv Chauhan, Arizona State University
- Abstract: A Galactic supernova neutrino burst could offer a way to investigate the magnetic fields of a newly formed neutron star. Electron spin polarization in a strong magnetic field introduces a directional dependence in neutrino interactions, potentially producing anisotropic emission from the proto–neutron star. If the magnetic axis is inclined to the rotation axis, this anisotropy can generate a periodic modulation in the neutrino signal observed at Earth. In this talk, I will discuss the physical origin of this effect and a phenomenological framework for estimating its impact on the electron-antineutrino flux. I will examine the prospects for detecting such a modulation with IceCube, discussing the potential detection reach and whether the modulation’s amplitude and temporal evolution could constrain the magnetic-field strength and its evolution near the neutrinosphere. I will also discuss the potential role of complementary neutrino observations with DUNE, gravitational-wave measurements, and future IceCube-Gen2 capabilities. This approach could open a new avenue for supernova magnetometry, offering insight into the magnetic fields of newborn neutron stars.
- Host: Toni Bertólez-Martínez