Updated Big Bang Nucleosynthesis confronted to WMAP observations and to the Abundance of Light Elements

Abstract

We improve Standard Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (SBBN) calculations taking into account new nuclear physics analyses (Descouvemont et al. 2003). Using a Monte-Carlo technique, we calculate the abundances of light nuclei versus the baryon to photon ratio.The results concerning omegab are compared to relevant astrophysical and cosmological observations. Consistency between WMAP, SBBN results and D/H data strengthens the deduced baryon density and has interesting consequences on cosmic chemical evolution. A significant discrepancy between the calculated Li-7 deduced from WMAP and the Spite plateau is clearly revealed. To explain this discrepancy three possibilities are invoked : uncertainties on the Li abundance, surface alteration of Li in the course of stellar evolution or poor knowledge of the reaction rates related to Be-7 destruction. In particular, the possible role of the up to now neglected Be-7(d,p)2He-4 and Be-7(d,alpha)Li5 reactions is considered. The impressive advances in CMB observations provide a strong motivation for more efforts in experimental nuclear physics and high quality spectroscopy to keep BBN in pace.