Abstract
We investigate the possibility that inhomogeneous nucleosynthesis may eventually be used to explain the abundances of 6Li, 9Be, and B in Population II stars. The present work differs from previous studies in that we have used a more extensive reaction network. It is demonstrated that in the simplest scenario the abundances of the light elements with A < 7 constrain the separation of inhomogeneities to sufficiently small scales that the model is indistinguishable from homogeneous nucleosynthesis and that the abundances of 6Li, 9Be, and B are then below observations by several orders of magnitude. This conclusion does not depend on the 7Li constraint. We also examine alternative scenarios which involve a post-nucleosynthesis reprocessing of the light elements to reproduce the observed abundances of Li and B, while allowing for a somewhat higher baryon density (still well below the cosmological critical density). Future B/H measurements may be able to exclude even this exotic scenario and further restrict primordial nucleosynthesis to approach the homogeneous model conclusions.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 291-299 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
Volume | 430 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 20 1994 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Nuclear reactions, nucleosynthesis, abundances
- Stars: Population II
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science