Electron neutrino opacity in magnetised media

Abstract

We study the effects of strong magnetic fields ($B>10^{13}$~G) in the cross section for $\hat{I}{½}_{e}n\to pe$ scattering in the presence of a degenerate electron background. This can be relevant for the $\hat{I}{½}_e$ propagation in the proto-neutron star stage after supernovae collapse. We find that for field strengths $B>10^{16}$~G$(E_{\hat{I}}½/10$ MeV${)}^2$ the $\hat{I}{½}_e$ opacity is sizeably affected by the magnetic field and can lead to a shift in the location of the electron neutrino sphere towards lower densities. We discuss the implications that this may have for scenarios proposed to explain the observed pulsar velocities.