Lithium, beryllium and boron - Observational constraints on primordial nucleosynthesis

Beckman, J. E.
Bibliographical reference

In: Primordial nucleosynthesis and evolution of early universe; Proceedings of the International Conference, Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 4-8, 1990 (A93-17626 05-90), p. 23-37.

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1991
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1
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1
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0
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Description
The evidence bearing on the derivation of the primordial Li-7 abundance is summarized from observations of extremely metal-deficient stars in the galactic halo (Population II). Arguments, primarily observational, but supported theoretically, are presented to show that the Li-7 observed in warm halo subdwarfs has neither been supplemented by Li-7 production in the early galaxy, nor significantly depleted during the lifetime of the stars themselves, and gives a good approximation to the primordial value. The absence of Be-9 or B-10 + B-11 in these objects at present limits of observational accuracy tends to support the primordiality of their Li-7. Observing Be-9, and heavier nuclides in the most metal deficient stars, does offer a possible route to distinguish between standard and inhomogeneous primordial cosmological models.