Wave transport in stellar radiation zone influenced by the Coriolis acceleration

Abstract

Internal gravity waves constitute an efficient process for angular momentum transport over large distances. They are now seen as an important ingredient in understanding the evolution of rotation, and could explain the Sun's quasi-flat rotation profile. Because the Sun's rotation frequency is of the same order as that of the waves, it is necessary to refine our description of wave propagation and to take into account the action of the Coriolis acceleration in a coherent way. To achieve this aim, we adopt the Traditional Approximation which is verified in stellar radiation zones. We present the modified transport equations and their numerical evaluation in a parameter range that is significant for the Sun. The effectiveness of gravity waves, which become gravito-inertial waves, is reduced while new type of waves, namely the Rossby, the Yanai and the Kelvin waves appear with their associated transport. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.