The nonlinear self-consistent propagation of neutrinos in a dense plasma is described using the relativistic kinetic equations for neutrinos and electrons. The general nonlinear dispersion relation for a neutrino fluid coupled with a plasma is derived. For scenarios close to realistic astrophysical conditions, neutrino driven streaming instabilities can develop, with growth rates which scale with the Fermi constant $G_F$, thus leading to significant energy transfer from the neutrinos to the plasma.

• Received 25 November 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.83.2703