Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2019/iii/paper-312/4/iv/solution

Insert the result for the neutrino tensor anisotropic stress into the tensor wave equation and divide out . Since the Fourier transform replaces by , the source coefficient is . The flat Friedmann equation gives
so . Hence
This memory term transfers coherent tensor motion into directional neutrino perturbations. Free-streaming neutrinos damp the tensor oscillation amplitude after horizon entry, suppressing the gravitational-wave contribution to cosmic microwave background temperature and polarization spectra. The kernel acts on , so a constant superhorizon tensor mode is unaffected at leading order.

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