Electron localization enhanced photon absorption for the missing opacity in solar interior

The internal solar structure predicted by the standard solar model disagrees with the helioseismic observations even by utilizing the most updated physical inputs, such as the opacity and element abundances. By increasing the Rosseland mean, the decade-old open problem of the missing opacity can be resolved. Herein, we propose that the continuum electrons in the radiative processes lose phases and coherence as matter waves, giving rise to a phenomenon of transient spatial localization. It not only enhances the continuum opacity but also increases the line widths of the bound-bound transitions. We demonstrate our theoretical formulation by investigating the opacity of solar mixtures in the interior. The Rosseland mean demonstrates an increase of 10%-26% in the range of 0.3R(circle dot)-0.75R(circle dot). The results are compared with the recent experimental data and the existing theoretical models. Our findings provide novel clues to the open problem of the missing opacity in the solar interior and new insight on the radiative opacity in the hot dense-plasma regime.

Automated summary

The study finds that the problem of missing opacity in the solar interior can be solved by increasing the Rosseland mean. The researchers propose that the continuum electrons lose phases and coherence as matter waves in the radiative processes, enhancing the continuum opacity and increasing the line widths of bound-bound transitions.