2008/05/14 by W. C. Haxton, A. M. Serenelli · 4 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Neutrino Physics Research #Radioactive Decay and Measurement Techniques #Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics #astro-ph #hep-ph #nucl-ex #nucl-th
paper · pdf · doi:10.1086/591787
33 pages, 4 figures
arxiv created 2008/05/14 · openalex publication_date 2008/10/24 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
We argue that it may be possible to exploit neutrinos from the CN cycle and p - p chain to determine the primordial solar core abundances of C and N at an interesting level of precision. Such a measurement would allow a comparison of the Sun's deep interior composition with its surface, testing a key assumption of the standard solar model (SSM), a homogeneous zero-age Sun. It would also provide a cross-check on recent photospheric abundance determinations that have altered the once excellent agreement between the SSM and helioseismology. As further motivation, we discuss a speculative possibility in which the photospheric abundance-helioseismology puzzle is connected with the solar system metal differentiation that accompanied formation of the gaseous giant planets. The theoretical relationship between core C and N and the 13 N and 15 O solar neutrino fluxes can be made more precise (and more general) by making use of the Super-Kamiokande and Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) 8 B neutrino capture rates, which calibrate the temperature of the solar core. The primordial C and N abundances can then be obtained from these neutrino fluxes and from a product of nuclear rates, with little residual solar model dependence. We describe some of the recent experimental advances that could allow this comparison to be made (theoretically) at the ~9% level, and we note that this uncertainty may be reduced further as a result of ongoing work on the S -factor for 14 N( p , γ). The envisioned measurement might be possible in deep, large-volume detectors using organic scintillator, for example, Borexino or SNO+.