Nuclear Reaction Rates and Primordial 6Li
Abstract
We examine the possibility that Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) may produce non-trivial amounts of 6Li. If a primordial component of this isotope could be observed, it would provide a new fundamental test of Big-Bang cosmology, as well as new constraints on the baryon density of the universe. At present, however, theoretical predictions of the primordial 6Li abundance are extremely uncertain due to difficulties in both theoretical estimates and experimental determinations of the deuterium-plus-alpha radiative capture reaction cross-section. We also argue that present observational capabilities do not yet allow the detection of primeval 6Li in very metal-poor stars of the galactic halo. However, if the critical cross section is towards the upper end of its plausible range, then improvements in 6Li detection capabilities may allow the establishment of 6Li as another product of BBN. It is also noted that a primordial 6Li detection could help resolve current concerns about the extragalactic D/H determination.
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