Projects per year
Abstract / Description of output
The correct prediction of the abundances of the light nuclides produced during the epoch of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) is one of the main topics of modern cosmology. For many of the nuclear reactions that are relevant for this epoch, direct experimental cross section data are available, ushering the so-called “age of precision”. The present work addresses an exception to this current status: the 2H(α,γ)6Li reaction that controls 6Li production in the Big Bang. Recent controversial observations of 6Li in metal-poor stars have heightened the interest in understanding primordial 6Li production. If confirmed, these observations would lead to a second cosmological lithium problem, in addition to the well-known 7Li problem. In the present work, the direct experimental cross section data on 2H(α,γ)6Li in the BBN energy range are reported. The measurement has been performed deep underground at the LUNA (Laboratory for Underground Nuclear Astrophysics) 400 kV accelerator in the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, Italy. The cross section has been directly measured at the energies of interest for Big Bang Nucleosynthesis for the first time, at Ecm=80, 93, 120, and 133 keV. Based on the new data, the 2H(α,γ)6Li thermonuclear reaction rate has been derived. Our rate is even lower than previously reported, thus increasing the discrepancy between predicted Big Bang 6Li abundance and the amount of primordial 6Li inferred from observations.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 57-65 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Astroparticle Physics |
Volume | 89 |
Early online date | 23 Jan 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2017 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- 6Li abundance
- Big Bang Nucleosynthesis
- Nuclear Astrophysics
- Underground
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Big Bang 6 Li nucleosynthesis studied deep underground (LUNA collaboration)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
-
Edinburgh Nuclear Physics Group Consolidated Grant Proposal
Woods, P., Aliotta, M., Murphy, A. & Watts, D.
1/08/14 → 30/09/18
Project: Research
Profiles
-
Marialuisa Aliotta
- School of Physics and Astronomy - Personal Chair in Experimental Nuclear Astrophysics
Person: Academic: Research Active
-
Carlo Bruno
- School of Physics and Astronomy - Reader
Person: Academic: Research Active (Research Assistant)