The Primordial Lithium Problem

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 4He measurements agree well with expectations, but 7Li observations lie a factor 3-4 below the BBN+WMAP prediction. This 4-5σ mismatch constitutes the cosmic "lithium problem," with disparate solutions possible. (1) Astrophysical systematics in the observations could exist but are increasingly constrained. (2) Nuclear physics experiments provide a wealth of well-measured cross-section data, but 7Be destruction could be enhanced by unknown or poorly-measured resonances, such as 7Be + 3He -> 10C^* -> p + 9B. (3) Physics beyond the Standard Model can alter the 7Li abundance, though D and 4He must remain unperturbed; we discuss such scenarios, highlighting decaying Supersymmetric particles and time-varying fundamental constants. Present and planned experiments could reveal which (if any) of these is the solution to the problem.

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

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• Standard big bang nucleosynthesis and primordial CNO Abundances after Planck
• BBN And The CMB Constrain Neutrino Coupled Light WIMPs
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• A revised thermonuclear rate of ${}^7$Be($n$,$\alpha$)${}^4$He relevant to Big-Bang nucleosynthesis
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• Modified big bang nucleosynthesis with non-standard neutron sources
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• Constraints on Light Dark Matter from Big Bang Nucleosynthesis
• Cosmological limits on axions and axion-like particles
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