A primordial r-process?

TL;DR

This paper explores how early universe baryon inhomogeneities could lead to primordial r-process nucleosynthesis, producing heavy elements up to atomic mass 270, influenced by nuclear physics parameters and neutron diffusion effects.

Contribution

It introduces a parameter study of primordial r-process nucleosynthesis considering baryon inhomogeneities, neutron diffusion, and nuclear physics dependencies, providing new insights into early heavy element formation.

Findings

Heavy elements up to A≈270 can be produced in the primordial universe.

Baryon inhomogeneities significantly influence r-process yields.

Nuclear physics parameters affect the abundance and distribution of synthesized elements.

Abstract

Baryon density inhomogeneities in the early universe can give rise to a floor of heavy elements (up to $A\approx 270$) produced in a primordial r-process with fission cycling. A parameter study with variation of the global baryon to photon ratio $\eta$, and under inclusion of neutron diffusion effects was performed. New results concerning the dependence of the results on nuclear physics parameters are presented.