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Limits to the primordial helium abundance in the baryon-inhomogeneous big bangThe parameter space for baryon inhomogeneous big bang models is explored with the goal of determining the minimum helium abundance obtainable in such models while still satisfying the other light-element constraints. We find that the constraint of (D + He-3)/H less than 10 exp -4 restricts the primordial helium mass fraction from baryon-inhomogeneous big bang models to be greater than 0.231 even for a scenario which optimizes the effects of the inhomogeneities and destroys the excess lithium production. Thus, this modification to the standard big bang as well as the standard homogeneous big bang model itself would be falsifiable by observation if the primordial He-4 abundance were observed to be less than 0.231. Furthermore, a present upper limit to the observed helium mass fraction of Y(obs)(p) less than 0.24 implies that the maximum baryon-to-photon ratio allowable in the inhomogeneous models corresponds to eta less than 2.3 x 10 exp -9 (omega(b) h-squared less than 0.088) even if all conditions are optimized.
Document ID
19930045187
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Mathews, G. J.
(Lawrence Livermore National Lab. Livermore, CA, United States)
Schramm, D. N.
(Chicago Univ. IL, United States)
Meyer, B. S.
(Clemson Univ. SC, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
February 20, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 404
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
93A29184
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: W-7405-ENG-48
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF AST-90-22629
CONTRACT_GRANT: DE-FG02-91ER-40606
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-2381
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1321
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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