Related papers: Nucleosynthesis constraints on massive, stable, st…
We investigate the nucleosynthesis process in high-entropy ($s/k_{\rm B}\gtrsim100$) and very fast-expanding ($\tau_{\rm exp}\sim10^{-3}\ {\rm s}$) materials. In such a material with the electron fraction near 0.5, an interesting…
We address the question concerning the maximum density, at which nuclei (and more generally -- nuclear structures) can exist in neutron star interiors. An absolute upper bound to such a density is obtained using the bulk approximation, in…
For a brief time in its early evolution the Universe was a cosmic nuclear reactor. The expansion and cooling of the Universe limited this epoch to the first few minutes, allowing time for the synthesis in astrophysically interesting…
We discuss Big Bang Nucleosynthesis constraints on maximal $\nu_\mu\leftrightarrow\nu_s$ mixing. Vacuum $\nu_\mu\leftrightarrow\nu_s$ oscillation has been proposed as one possible explanation of the Super Kamiokande atmospheric neutrino…
We re-examine neutrino oscillations in the early universe. Contrary to previous studies, we show that large neutrino asymmetries can arise due to oscillations between ordinary neutrinos and sterile neutrinos. This means that the Big Bang…
We consider the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) bounds on light dark matter whose cross section off nucleons is sufficiently large to enable acceleration by scattering off of cosmic rays in the local galaxy. Such accelerated DM could then…
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…
A critical review is given of the current status of cosmological nucleosynthesis. In the framework of the Standard Model with 3 types of relativistic neutrinos, the baryon-to-photon ratio, $\eta$, corresponding to the inferred primordial…
We present new Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) limits on the cosmic expansion rate or relativistic energy density, quantified via the number $N_\nu$ of equivalent neutrino species. We use the latest light element observations, neutron mean…
We evaluate abundance anomalies generated in patches of the universe where the baryon-to-photon ratio was locally enhanced by possibly many orders of magnitude in the range $\eta = 10^{-10} - 10^{-1}$. Our study is motivated by the possible…
We investigate the observational constraints on the inhomogeneous big-bang nucleosynthesis that Matsuura et al. suggested the possibility of the heavy element production beyond ${}^7$Li in the early universe. From the observational…
Primordial nucleosynthesis is inevitable during the early evolution of an expanding universe filled with radiation and matter (baryons). However, the precise abundance yields depend sensitively on the baryon density, the radiation content…
Physics, as known from our local, around--earth experience, meets some of its applicability limits at the time just preceding the period of primeval nucleosynthesis. Attention is focussed here on the effects of the nucleon size.…
As the early universe expands and cools the rates of the weak interactions that keep neutrinos in thermal equilibrium with the matter and the related rates of the reactions that inter-convert neutrons and protons decrease. Eventually, these…
We examine the constraints imposed by the requirement of successful big bang nucleosynthesis on models with one large extra dimension and a single bulk neutrino. We solve the Boltzman kinetic equations for the thermal distribution of bulk…
Big Bang Nucleosynthesis provides us with an observational insight into the very early Universe. Since this mechanism of light element synthesis comes out of the standard model of particle cosmology which follows directly from General…
During its hot, dense, early evolution the Universe was a primordial nuclear reactor, synthesizing the light nuclides D, 3He, 4He and 7Li in the first thousand seconds. The presently observed abundances of these relic nuclides provide a…
We review important reactions in the big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) model involving a long-lived negatively charged massive particle, $X^-$, which is much heavier than nucleons. This model can explain the observed $^7$Li abundances of…
Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) is very sensitive to the cosmological expansion rate. If the gravitational constant $G$ took a different value during the nucleosynthesis epoch than today, the primordial abundances of light elements would be…
We investigate the impact of a nonstandard electron mass $m_e$ on early-Universe thermal history, focusing on neutrino decoupling and Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN). In the standard cosmology, neutrino--electron interactions keep neutrinos…