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Deuterium, lithium and the density of the Universe

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Abstract

The main outcome of the primordial nucleosynthesis is the ability to account for the abundances of D, 3He, 4He and 7Li with the proper choice of the nuclear density parameter ωB. The relative advantages/disadvantages of D and 7Li as the proper `baryometer' are discussed. In favour of D, the main arguments are the relative simplicity of the formation/destruction schema, but this is challenged by the large uncertainties on the choice of its actual `primordial' abundance and on the galactic evolution scheme. In favour of 7Li there are the confirmation of the so called `Spite plateau' and the observation of 6Li at the surface of at least one (may be two) Population II stars, but the paucity of such stars such as the possibility of scenarios in which the 7Li abundance could be affected even in these stars cannot be overlooked.

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Audouze, J. Deuterium, lithium and the density of the Universe. Astrophysics and Space Science 265, 23–27 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1002123614254

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1002123614254

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