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The Origin of early Li-6 and the Reionization of the Universe

Hubert Reeves
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Abstract

Observational data on the early galactic abundances of the light elements lithium, beryllium and boron are combined with data related to the reionization of the intergalactic medium (IGM) in a search of processes happening in the early universe. Early massive metal-free stars (Pop III), largely held responsible for the reionization of the IGM, are proposed to have been also at the origin of the lithium-6 plateau, through their winds. In this sense the evolution of the Li-6/Be-9 ratio appears to be a key parameter for the history of nucleosynthesis, as a monitor of the early formation of metals and their subsequent injection in high energy particles.

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Hubert Reeves. 2005-09-14. The Origin of early Li-6 and the Reionization of the Universe. https://doi.org/10.1051/eas%3A2005094

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