Recent deuterium observations and big bang nucleosynthesis constraints
1994; IOP Publishing; Volume: 432; Linguagem: Inglês
10.1086/187516
ISSN1538-4357
AutoresLawrence M. Krauss, Peter J. Kernan,
Tópico(s)Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies
Resumoview Abstract Citations (21) References (12) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Recent Deuterium Observations and Big Bang Nucleosynthesis Constraints Krauss, Lawrence M. ; Kernan, Peter J. Abstract A new observation of D in a primordial gas cloud, made using the high resolution spectrograph at the Keck telescope, indicates an abundance $ D/H =(1.9-2.5) \times 10^{-4}$ \cite{SCHR}. Since deuterium is destroyed by stars, and the predicted Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) abundance falls monotonically with increasing baryon density, deuterium places a reliable upper limit on the baryon density of the universe. Because the new measurement is substationally larger than previous, galactic estimates, it would force a reassessment of BBN predictions--- if it is confirmed. Using a new BBN Monte Carlo code and analysis technique \cite{KK} we derive constraints implied by a lower limit of $D/H =1.9 \times 10^{-4}$. We find $\Omega_B \le .0068h^{-2}$, which is definitively incompatible with baryonic halo dark matter. We also explore implications of combining the D measurement with other light element abundances. $^7Li$ provides a lower bound, $\Omega_B \ge .004h^{-2}$. Also, the initial $^4He$ mass fraction ($Y_p$) would have to be less than $23.5\%$, assuming 3 light neutrino species---in good agreement with present best fits. Finally, observational upper limits of $Y_p \le 24 \%$ and $^7Li/H \le 2.3 \times 10^{-10}$ would allow the number of neutrinos to be as big as 3.9. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: September 1994 DOI: 10.1086/187516 arXiv: arXiv:astro-ph/9405004 Bibcode: 1994ApJ...432L..79K Keywords: Abundance; Big Bang Cosmology; Deuterium; Galactic Evolution; Neutrinos; Nuclear Fusion; Nuclear Reactions; Statistical Analysis; Universe; Dark Matter; Gauss Equation; Helium; Monte Carlo Method; Astronomy; COSMOLOGY: OBSERVATIONS; COSMOLOGY: EARLY UNIVERSE; NUCLEAR REACTIONS; NUCLEOSYNTHESIS; ABUNDANCES; Astrophysics; High Energy Physics - Phenomenology E-Print: 10 pages, latex, 2 uuencoded figures appended, one ps file available by anonymous ftp (ftp.cwru.edu, physics/bbndeut/Bbnfig1.ps.Z) CWRU-P6-94 full text sources arXiv | ADS |
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