The Influence of a Buried Magnetic Field on Solar p-Modes

The magnetic field considered to reside at the base of the convection zone is presumed to vary over the solar activity cycle. We examine the effect of such a buried magnetic layer on the properties of solar p-modes. Analytical and numerical solutions to the dispersion relation for these modes are presented. Frequency changes due to the stored magnetic field are found to be negligible in comparison with the low- and intermediate-degree frequency shifts reported over the solar activity cycle. Nonetheless, there are grounds for inferring the signature of such a buried field through examining shifts of various degree. The p-mode frequencies are increased proportionally to the square of the field strength at the base of the convection zone and depend upon the thickness of the magnetic layer.