Neutrino Radiation Showing a Christodoulou Memory Effect in General Relativity

Abstract

We describe neutrino radiation in general relativity by introducing the energy–momentum tensor of a null fluid into the Einstein equations. Investigating the geometry and analysis at null infinity, we prove that a component of the null fluid enlarges the Christodoulou memory effect of gravitational-waves. The description of neutrinos in general relativity as a null fluid can be regarded as a limiting case of a more general description using the massless limit of the Einstein–Vlasov system. Gigantic neutrino bursts occur in our universe in core-collapse supernovae and in the mergers of neutron star binaries.