Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2019 / iii / Paper 312 / 4 / iv

Insert the result for the neutrino tensor anisotropic stress into the tensor wave equation and divide out $m_{ij}{e}^{i\mathbf{k}\cdot \mathbf{x}}/\sqrt{2}$. Since the Fourier transform replaces $-{\nabla }^2$ by $k^2$, the source coefficient is $-64\pi G{a}^2{\bar{\rho }}_{\nu }$. The flat Friedmann equation givesso $64\pi G{a}^2{\bar{\rho }}_{\nu }=24{\mathcal{H}}^2{\bar{\rho }}_{\nu }/{\bar{\rho }}_{\mathrm{tot}}$. HenceThis 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 $\dot{h}$, so a constant superhorizon tensor mode is unaffected at leading order.