Astrophysical sources of high energy neutrinos

Abstract

The observations of VHE and UHE γ-ray signals from compact astrophysical sources have suggested that cosmic rays are accelerated at these objects. Corresponding neutrino fluxes ought to be produced too. The paper discusses the neutrino production in astrophysical plasma and estimates the magnitude of the expected neutrino signals. Two types of possible compact sources: X-ray binary systems and young supernova remnants are discussed in specific models. A special attention is paid to the absorption of the γ-ray signals both at the sources and during the propagation in the interstellar medium.