Probing the Przybylski star for Deuterium

TL;DR

This study investigates the Przybylski star's spectrum to detect deuterium, but finds no evidence, possibly due to convective destruction, highlighting challenges in observing deuterium in such stellar environments.

Contribution

The paper explores the potential presence of deuterium in the Przybylski star and discusses reasons for its non-detection, contributing to understanding stellar isotope behavior.

Findings

No spectroscopic evidence of deuterium detected

Deuterium may be destroyed by stellar convection

Star's enrichment in s-process elements confirmed

Abstract

The Przybylski star spectrum has been studied in order to search for deuterium lines. Since this star is extremely enriched in the s-process elements, which are the product of interaction between free neutrons and seed nuclei, we might as well expect to detect deuterium in this star. However, no visible spectroscopic manifestation of deuterium has been detected. Perhaps, the reason of this result is the convective "destruction" of this isotope.