English

The puzzling origin of the 6Li plateau

Astrophysics 2011-11-10 v2

Abstract

We discuss the 6Li abundance evolution within a hierarchical model of Galaxy formation which correctly reproduces the [Fe/H] distribution of metal-poor halo stars. Contrary to previous findings, we find that neither the level (6Li/H=6x10^-12) nor the flatness of the 6Li distribution with [Fe/H] can be reproduced under the most favourable conditions by any model in which 6Li production is tied to a (data-constrained) Galactic star formation rate via cosmic ray spallation. Thus, the origin of the plateau might be due to some other early mechanism unrelated to star formation.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.0806.4184,
  title  = {The puzzling origin of the 6Li plateau},
  author = {Carmelo Evoli and Stefania Salvadori and Andrea Ferrara},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0806.4184},
  year   = {2011}
}

Comments

6 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS Letters

R2 v1 2026-06-21T10:54:24.523Z