Related papers: The Deuteron Confronts Big Bang Nucleosynthesis
We review the Cosmology and Physics underlying Primordial Nucleosynthesis and survey current observational data in order to compare the predictions of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis with the inferred primordial abundances. From this comparison we…
We use Big Bang Nucleosynthesis calculations and light element abundance data to constrain the relative variation of the deuteron binding energy since the universe was a few minutes old, $\delta Q = Q(BBN)-Q(present)$. Two approaches are…
Recently we presented a simple method for determining the correlated uncertainties of the light element abundances expected from big bang nucleosynthesis, which avoids the need for lengthy Monte Carlo simulations. We now extend this…
We have recently considered cosmologies in which the Universal scale factor varies as a power of the age of the Universe and concluded that they cannot satisfy the observational constraints on the present age, the magnitude-redshift…
From the observations of the anisotropies of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation, the WMAP satellite has provided a determination of the baryonic density of the Universe, \Omega_b.h^2, with an unprecedented precision. This…
We study big bang nucleosynthesis in the presence of large mass-scale, non-linear entropy fluctuations. Overdense regions, with masses above the local baryon-Jeans mass, are expected to collapse and form condensed objects. Surviving…
We present a brief review of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN). We discuss theoretical and observational uncertainties in deuterium and helium-4 primordial abundances and their implications for the determination of important cosmological…
The simplest, `standard' model of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (SBBN) assumes three light neutrinos (N_nu = 3) and no significant electron neutrino asymmetry, leaving only one adjustable parameter: the baryon to photon ratio eta. The primordial…
I present a review of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, concentrating on the statistical analysis of theoretical uncertainties, and on systematic errors in observed abundances. Both have important implications for constraints on the amount of…
The $^6$Li abundance observed in metal poor halo stars exhibits a plateau similar to that for $^7$Li suggesting a primordial origin. However, the observed abundance of $^6$Li is a factor of $10^3$ larger and that of $^7$Li is a factor of 3…
We derive constraints from standard (with $N_\nu = 3$) BBN arising solely from two cosmologically produced nuclides, \he4 and \li7, from which the extrapolation to primordial abundances is straightforward. The abundances of D and \he3 are…
The dual origin of population II Li7, in both big bang nucleosynthesis and galactic cosmic-ray nucleosynthesis is discussed. It is argued that with additional Li6 data, stringent limits on the degree of Li7 depletion can be obtained. Li7…
Concern about systematic uncertainty in the $^4$He abundance as well as the chemical evolution of $^3$He leads us to re-examine this important limit. It is shown that with conservative assumptions no more than the equivalent of 4 massless…
Two new high-precision measurements of the deuterium abundance from absorbers along the line of sight to the quasar PKS1937--1009 were presented. The absorbers have lower neutral hydrogen column densities (N(HI) $\approx$ 18\,cm$^{-2}$)…
The comparison of cosmic abundances of the light elements with the density of baryonic stars and gas in the universe today provides a critical test of big bang theory and a powerful probe of the nature of dark matter. A new technique allows…
According to the standard models of particle physics and cosmology, there should be a background of cosmic neutrinos in the present Universe, similar to the cosmic microwave photon background. The weakness of the weak interactions renders…
Big Bang Nucleosynthesis represents perhaps the first, and still perhaps the most powerful particle-astrophysics connection. As such, it should provide an example for other work in this area. I discuss the current status of standard model…
The current status of big bang nucleosynthesis is reviewed. Particular attention is given to the degree at which the theory is consistent with the observation of the light element abundances.
We present a new measurement of the deuterium-to-hydrogen ratio (D/H) in the Lyman limit absorption system at $z = 3.572$ towards Q1937--1009. We use an improved method to measure D/H in QSO absorption systems, which includes extra…
We take a fresh look at the limits on the number of neutrino flavors derived from big bang nucleosynthesis. In particular, recent measurements of the \he4 abundance enable one to estimate the primordial \he4 mass fraction at $Y_p = 0.232…