Toward precision measurements in solar neutrinos

Abstract

Solar neutrino physics enters a stage of precision measurements. In this connection we present a precise analytic description of the neutrino conversion in the context of LMA MSW solution of the solar neutrino problem. Using the adiabatic perturbation theory we derive an analytic formula for the $\nu_e$ survival probability which takes into account the non-adiabatic corrections and the regeneration effect inside the Earth. The probability is averaged over the neutrino production region. We find that the non-adiabatic corrections are of the order $10^{-9}-10^{-7}$. Using the formula for the Earth regeneration effect we discuss features of the zenith angle dependence of the $\nu_e$ flux. In particular, we show that effects of small structures at the surface of the Earth can be important.Comment: 26 pages, 6 figures. Version to appear in Nucl. Phys.