Neutrinos in general relativity: Four(?) levels of approach

The three subsequent levels of approach to the problem of the neutrino in general relativity which have been exploited till now, are:

1. ‘classical particle’ approach, i.e. a study on the neutrino as a classical particle in a classical, given gravitational field;
2. ‘quantum particle’ approach, i.e. considering the Dirac equation for the neutrino in a given gravitational field;
3. ‘classical field’ approach comprising the study of combined neutrino-gravitational fields.

Many results obtained along these lines are presented, with emphasis upon the geometrical theory of two-component neutrino-gravitational fields. A synthesis of the particle and fields aspects of the neutrino could provide a possible fourth, till now non-existing, ‘quantum field’ level of approach. This should deal with a guantized neutrino field in a curved space-time (which might be also quantized, but perhaps this should belong already to a next, fifth level of approach). Studies on the neutrino physics in gravitational fields reveal not only a series of results which are of interest in se, and which may be used as the basis to a unified theory of neutrino and gravitational fields (the Rainich problem for the neutrino). They provide in addition the necessary material for astrophysical and cosmological applications; some of these are outlined in relation to the results presented.