The Primordial Lithium Problem

2011/03/02 by Brian D. Fields · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories #astro-ph.CO #hep-ph #nucl-th

paper · pdf · doi:10.1146/annurev-nucl-102010-130445

published as Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science, 61, 47-68 (2011) · 29 pages, 7 figures. Per Annual Reviews policy, this is the original submitted draft. Posted with permission from the Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science, Volume 61. Annual Reviews, http://www.annualreviews.org . Final published version at http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-nucl-102010-130445

openalex publication_date 2011/03/02 · arxiv created 2012/03/15 · arxiv updated 2012/03/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

Big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) theory, together with the precise WMAP cosmic baryon density, makes tight predictions for the abundances of the lightest elements. Deuterium and 4 He measurements agree well with expectations, but 7 Li observations lie below the BBN+WMAP prediction by a factor of three to four. This 4–5-σ mismatch constitutes the so-called cosmic lithium problem; disparate solutions are possible. First, astrophysical systematics in the observations could exist but are increasingly constrained. Second, nuclear physics experiments provide a wealth of well-measured cross-section data, but 7 Be destruction could be enhanced by unknown or poorly measured resonances. Third, physics beyond the Standard Model could alter the 7 Li abundance, although deuterium and 4 He must remain unperturbed. In this review, we discuss such scenarios, highlighting decaying supersymmetric particles and time-varying fundamental constants. Present and planned experiments could reveal which (if any) of these proposed solutions is correct.

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Cited by

• Gas-cell development for nuclear astrophysics motivated studies on noble gas targets and the ³He(α,γ)⁷Be reaction
• Isotopes of lithium [wikipedia]