2012

The cosmological 7Li problem from a nuclear physics perspective

Broggini, C., Canton, L., Fiorentini, G. et al.

Understand

The primordial abundance of 7Li as predicted by Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) is more than a factor 2 larger than what has been observed in metal-poor halo stars.

  • Herein, we analyze the possibility that this discrepancy originates from incorrect assumptions about the nuclear reaction cross sections relevant for BBN.
  • To do this, we introduce an efficient method to calculate the changes in the 7Li abundance produced by arbitrary (temperature dependent) modifications of the nuclear reaction rates.
  • Then, considering that 7Li is mainly produced from 7Be via the electron capture process 7Be + e -> 7Li + nu_e, we assess the impact of the various channels of 7Be destruction.

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