Abstract

view Abstract Citations (421) References (184) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Experimental, Computational, and Observational Analysis of Primordial Nucleosynthesis Smith, Michael S. ; Kawano, Lawrence H. ; Malaney, Robert A. Abstract We present a comprehensive evaluation of the current status of the standard theory of primordial nucleosynthesis, determining the 12 nuclear reactions most important for the production of the light elements and conducting a detailed study of their rates and uncertainties; these are incorporated into a Monte Carlo analysis to evaluate uncertainties in the computed elemental abundances. These predicted abundances are compared with primordial abundances deduced from astronomical observations of the light elements D, He-3, He-4, and Li-7; consistent agreement exists over a narrow range of the baryon-to-photon ratio n, thereby supporting the standard theory of big bang nucleosynthesis. This n range corresponds to a constraint on the baryon density parameter of 0.01-0.09, where the primordial D + He-3 abundance sets the lower bound and the He-4 abundance sets the upper bound. The new reaction rates cause an increase in the upper bound from Li-7 by 40 percent over that determined in previous studies. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series Pub Date: April 1993 DOI: 10.1086/191763 Bibcode: 1993ApJS...85..219S Keywords: Abundance; Light Elements; Monte Carlo Method; Nuclear Fusion; Nuclear Reactions; Baryons; Chemical Reactions; Lithium; Neutrons; Numerical Analysis; Protons; Star Distribution; Astrophysics; EARLY UNIVERSE; NUCLEAR REACTIONS; NUCLEOSYNTHESIS; ABUNDANCES full text sources ADS |