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Big bang photosynthesis and pregalactic nucleosynthesis of light elements

Journal Article · · Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/184490· OSTI ID:5481934

Two nonstandard scenarios for pregalactic synthesis of the light elements (/sup 2/H, /sup 3/He, /sup 4/He, and /sup 7/Li) are developed. Big bang photosynthesis occurs if energetic photons, produced by the decay of massive neutrinos or gravitinos, partially photodisintegrate /sup 4/He (formed in the standard hot big bang) to produce /sup 2/H and /sup 3/He. In this case, primordial nucleosynthesis no longer constrains the baryon density of the universe, or the number of neutrino species. Alternatively, one may dispense partially or completely with the hot big bang and produce the light elements by bombardment of primordial gas, provided that /sup 4/He is synthesized by a later generation of massive stars.

Research Organization:
Institut d'Astrophysique, Paris; and Laboratoire Rene Bernas, Orsay, France
OSTI ID:
5481934
Journal Information:
Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States) Vol. 293:2; ISSN AJLEA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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