Lithium in Very Metal-poor Dwarf Stars -- Problems for Standard Big Bang Nucleosynthesis?

Journal Article · Fri Dec 10 04:00:00 EST 2004 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1848328· OSTI ID:20630491

Lambert, David L ^[1]

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1. W.J. McDonald Observatory, University of Texas, Austin, Texas (United States)

The standard model of primordial nucleosynthesis by the Big Bang as selected by the WMAP-based estimate of the baryon density ({omega}bh2) predicts an abundance of 7Li that is a factor of three greater than the generally reported abundance for stars on the Spite plateau, and an abundance of 6Li that is about a thousand times less than is found for some stars on the plateau. This review discusses and examines these two discrepancies. They can likely be resolved without major surgery on the standard model of the Big Bang. In particular, stars on the Spite plateau may have depleted their surface lithium abundance over their long lifetime from the WMAP-based predicted abundances down to presently observed abundances, and synthesis of 6Li (and 7Li) via {alpha} + {alpha} fusion reactions may have occurred in the early Galaxy. Yet, there remain fascinating ways in which to remove the two discrepancies involving aspects of a new cosmology, particularly through the introduction of exotic particles.

• OSTI ID: 20630491
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 743; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
BARYON NUMBER
BARYONS
COSMOLOGY
DWARF STARS
ELEMENT ABUNDANCE
LIFETIME
LITHIUM
LITHIUM 6
LITHIUM 7
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
REVIEWS
STANDARD MODEL