On first detection of solar neutrinos from CNO cycle with Borexino

TL;DR

This paper reports the first detection of solar CNO neutrinos with Borexino and discusses implications for Earth's potassium abundance and heat flux, supporting the Hydridic Earth model over the Silicate Earth model.

Contribution

It provides the first measurement of solar CNO neutrinos in Borexino and links the results to Earth's potassium content and heat flux, favoring the Hydridic Earth model.

Findings

Detection of solar CNO neutrinos in Borexino.

Earth's potassium abundance may explain observed neutrino rates.

Earth's heat flux consistent with Hydridic Earth model.

Abstract

Borexino collaboration reported about first measurement of solar CNO-$\nu$ interaction rate in Borexino detector. This result is consistent with Hydridic Earth model prediction about the contribution of $^{40}$K geo-antineutrino interactions in single Borexino events. The potassium abundance in the Earth in the range $1 \div 1.5$\% of the Earth mass could give the observed enhancement of counting rate above expected CNO-$\nu$ counting rate. The Earth intrinsic heat flux must be in the range $200 \div 300$ TW for this potassium abundance. This value of the heat flux can explain the ocean heating observed by the project ARGO. We consider that Hydridic Earth model actually corresponds better to CNO-$\nu$ Borexino results than Silicate Earth model.