Nuclear Reaction Rates and Primordial ${}^6$Li

Abstract

We examine the possibility that Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) may produce non-trivial amounts of ${}^6$Li. If a primordial component of this isotope could be observed, it would provide a new fundamental test of Big-Bang cosmology, as well as new constraints on the baryon density of the universe. At present, however, theoretical predictions of the primordial ${}^6$Li abundance are extremely uncertain due to difficulties in both theoretical estimates and experimental determinations of the deuterium-plus-alpha radiative capture reaction cross-section. We also argue that present observational capabilities do not yet allow the detection of primeval ${}^6$Li in very metal-poor stars of the galactic halo. However, if the critical cross section is towards the upper end of its plausible range, then improvements in ${}^6$Li detection capabilities may allow the establishment of ${}^6$Li as another product of BBN. It is also noted that a primordial ${}^6$Li detection could help resolve current concerns about the extragalactic D/H determination.

10 pages, REVTeX, 5 PostScript figures with psfig. Submitted to Physical Review C

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