Big Bang Nucleosynthesis

• Once significant amount of Deuterium has formed the heavier elements form very fast
• All post-Deuterium reactions involve strong nuclear forces, large cross sections and high reaction rates
• Reactions proceed quickly to Helium

n  p  D 
D  n  3H  
D  p  3He  
D  D  3H  p
D  D  3He  n
D  D  4He  
3
H  p  4He  


3
He  n  4He  
3
H  D  4He  n
3
He  D  4He  p
 Most of 3H, 3He gets locked up in 4He - how about heavier elements ?

4
He  D  6Li  
4
He 3H  7Li   56Fe

4
He 3He  7Be  
4
He 4He  8Be

Be  (unstable)  4He 4He ( ~ 3x1016 s)

8

 5 8 56

- Maximum binding energy at iron  elements lighter than Iron release energy when fused.

- No stable nuclei with atomic number 5 or 8

- Helium has unusually large binding energy

production of nuclei ceases with Helium

Neutrinos and BBN