A new tension in the cosmological model from primordial deuterium?

TL;DR

Recent updates in nuclear reaction data and cosmological measurements reveal a significant tension in the baryonic density inferred from primordial deuterium abundance versus CMB data, prompting a reevaluation of big-bang nucleosynthesis.

Contribution

This paper identifies a 1.8 sigma tension in baryonic density measurements and provides an upgraded BBN code PRIMAT for further analysis.

Findings

A 1.8 sigma tension between light element abundances and CMB data.

Updated BBN predictions with revised nuclear reaction rates.

Implications for the consistency of the standard cosmological model.

Abstract

Recent measurements of the D(p,$\gamma)^3$He, nuclear reaction cross-section and of the neutron lifetime, along with the reevaluation of the cosmological baryon abundance from cosmic microwave background (CMB) analysis, call for an update of abundance predictions for light elements produced during the big-bang nucleosynthesis (BBN). While considered as a pillar of the hot big-bang model in its early days, BBN constraining power mostly rests on deuterium abundance. We point out a new $\simeq1.8\sigma$-tension on the baryonic density, or equivalently on the D/H abundance, between the value inferred on one hand from the analysis of the primordial abundances of light elements and, on the other hand, from the combination of CMB and baryonic oscillation data. This draws the attention on this sector of the theory and gives us the opportunity to reevaluate the status of BBN in the context of precision cosmology. Finally, this paper presents an upgrade of the BBN code PRIMAT.