Self-energy to lowest order of a neutron star due to massive neutrino exchange

Abstract

We calculate the self-energy to lowest order in the Fermi constant G{sub F} (two-body contribution) of a neutron star due to massive neutrino exchange. We show that, in contrast to the recently calculated vacuum energy in which the neutron field is considered to be external, the two-body self-energy of the neutron field decreases as the mass of the neutrino is increased. We also show by direct calculation that the presence of the neutrino condensate has little effect on the two-body self-energy. The implications of these results are discussed in detail. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.