Role of gravity waves in the solar neutrino problem

Abstract

The measured solar neutrino flux is smaller than what was predicted by the standard solar model. Before giving any conclusions about the physical properties of the neutrinos, it is necessary to take into account two observered properties which result from the effect of forgotten physical processes: (1) lithium deficiency results from the transport of lithium from the top of the radiative zone on the burning level; the absence of a beryllium deficiency implies a strong radial dependance of the transport process to the burning level; (2) solid body rotation below the boundary of the convective zone implies an efficient transport of angular momentum. Gravity waves can provide the production of both transport processes: macroscopic diffusion, transport of angular momentum by gravity waves. Diffusion in the solar core can bring a small amount of 3He to higher temperatures. This increase of the amount of burning material near the center can be responsible for a lower temperature and a smaller neutrino flux.