Neutrino oscillations in the Earth suggest a terrestrial test of solution to solar neutrino problem

Abstract

It is generally believed that a complete spectroscopy of solar neutrinos, which is far from being achieved in the near future, is required in order to verify the Mikheyev–Smirnov–Wolfenstein (MSW) solution1,2of the solar neutrino problem3,4 and to unfold the values of neutrino masses and mixings that nature has selected. However, as we discuss here, the MSW solution1,2 of the solar neutrino problem3,4 can be tested with present equipment—the 4 Bet he solution'5 yields sizeable oscillations of atmospheric neutrinos in the Earth which can be detected with the massive underground proton decay detectors, while the 'Rosen-Gelb9 additional solutions6 yield diurnal and seasonal modulations of the solar neutrino flux which perhaps can be detected by the radio-chemical Cl and Ga detectors. Moreover, neutrino oscillations in Earth may modify the values of the oscillation parameters which can solve the solar neutrino problem and help determine their values.