Journal Article

PUBDB-2022-00387

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Updated BBN constraints on electromagnetic decays of MeV-scale particles

Depta, P. F. (Corresponding author)DESY* ; Hufnagel, M.Extern* ; Schmidt-Hoberg, K.DESY*

2021
IOP London

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1088/1475-7516/2021/04/011  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2022-00387

Report No.: DESY-20-160; ULB-TH/20-15; arXiv:2011.06519

Abstract: In this work, we revise and update model-independent constraints from Big Bang Nucleosynthesis on MeV-scale particles ϕ which decay into photons and/or electron-positron pairs. We use the latest determinations of primordial abundances and extend the analysis in [1] by including all spin-statistical factors as well as inverse decays, significantly strengthening the resulting bounds in particular for small masses. For a very suppressed initial abundance of ϕ, these effects become ever more important and we find that even a pure `freeze-in' abundance can be significantly constrained. In parallel to this article, we release the public code which numerically solves the reaction network necessary to evaluate the effect of photodisintegration on the final light element abundances. As an interesting application, we re-evaluate a possible solution of the lithium problem due to the photodisintegration of beryllium and find that e.g. an ALP produced via freeze-in can lead to a viable solution.

Keyword(s): nucleosynthesis: big bang ; electromagnetic decay ; electron positron ; suppression ; beryllium ; network ; lithium ; photon: energy ; energy dependence ; elements: production

Note: JCAP 04, 011 (2021). 26 pages, 11 figures, inverse decays; v2: minor changes, conclusions unchanged, matches published version

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Theorie-Gruppe (T)

Research Program(s):

1. 611 - Fundamental Particles and Forces (POF4-611) (POF4-611)
2. NewAve - New avenues towards solving the dark matter puzzle (638528) (638528)
3. DFG project 390833306 - EXC 2121: Quantum Universe (390833306) (390833306)

Experiment(s):

1. No specific instrument

Appears in the scientific report 2021

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Database coverage:
; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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