Reaction rate and abundance uncertainty correlations in primordial nucleosynthesis

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Bulletin of the American Physical Society

OSTI ID:386946

Smith, M S ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN (United States)

A recent detailed analysis of Standard Big Bang Nucleo-synthesis incorporates temperature-dependent-reaction rate uncertainties in a Monte Carlo analysis to calculate primordial abundances with uncertainties. This approach is now employed to determine the individual contributions of the uncertainty of the 12 key reaction rates (including the neutron lifetime) to the overall uncertainty of the primordial d+{sup 3} He, {sup 4}He, and {sup 7}Li abundances. Furthermore, in order to set priorities for future measurements, the effects of decreasing the individual reaction rate uncertainties on the abundance uncertainties are determined. It is found that more precise measurements of d(d, p)t and d(d, n){sup 3}He are important for decreasing the d+{sup 3}He abundance uncertainty (by up to 25%); that a more precise neutron lifetime has by far the largest effect (up to a 60% decrease) on the {sup 4}He abundance uncertainty; and that more precise measurements of {sup 3}He({alpha},{gamma}){sup 7}Be, t({alpha},{gamma}){sup 7}Li, and p(n, {gamma})d could decrease the {sup 7}Li abundance uncertainty, but only by 10 - 20%. Details of the analysis and of the Monte Carlo routine will be discussed.

• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 386946
• Report Number(s): CONF-931044--
• Journal Information: Bulletin of the American Physical Society, Journal Name: Bulletin of the American Physical Society Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 38; ISSN BAPSA6; ISSN 0003-0503
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
ALPHA REACTIONS
ASTROPHYSICS
COSMOLOGICAL MODELS
DEUTERON REACTIONS
HELIUM
NUCLEAR REACTION KINETICS
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS