High energy neutrino sources

Abstract

High energy cosmic neutrinos can be produced by protons and nuclei accelerated in cosmic sources (‘acceleration neutrinos) as well as by relic Big Bang particles, cosmic strings, etc. (neutrinos of non-acceleration origin). The most promising ‘acceleration’ sources of neutrinos are supernovae in our Galaxy and active galactic nuclei (AGN). Detectable diffuse fluxes of ‘ acceleration ’ neutrinos can be produced by AGN and during the ‘bright phase’ of galaxy evolution. During the past few years it has been realized that the detectable flux of high energy neutrinos can be also produced by the relic Big Bang particles. The possible sources are annihilation of the neutralinos accumulated inside the Earth and the Sun, decay of neutralinos (due to the weak breaking of R-parity), and the decay of exotic long-lived particles from the Big Bang.