Metal-poor Halo Stars Research Articles

MINING THE SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY IN SEARCH OF EXTREMELY α-POOR STARS IN THE GALAXY

As we know, the majority of metal-poor Galactic halo stars appear to have chemical abundances that were enhanced by α-elements (e.g., O, Mg, Si, Ca, and Ti) during the early stage of the Galaxy. Observed metal-poor halo stars preserved this pattern by exhibiting abundance ratios [α/Fe] ~+0.4. A few striking exceptions that show severe departures from the general enhanced α-element chemical abundance trends of the halo have been discovered in recent years. They possess relatively low [α/Fe] compared to other comparable-metallicity stars, with abundance ratios over 0.5 dex lower. These stars may have a different chemical enrichment history from the majority of the halo. Similarly, low-α abundances are also displayed by satellite dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxies. We present a method to select extremely α-poor (EAP) stars from the SDSS/SEGUE survey. The method consists of a two-step approach. In the first step, we select suspected metal-poor ([Fe/H] <–0.5) and α-poor ([Mg/Fe] <0) stars as our targets. In the second step, we determine [Mg/Fe] from low-resolution (R = 2000) stellar spectra for our targets and select stars with [Mg/Fe] <–0.1 as candidate EAP stars. In a sample of 40,000 stars with atmospheric parameters in the range of T eff = [4500, 7000] K, log g = [1.0, 5.0], and [Fe/H] = [–4.0, +0.5], 14 candidate stars were identified. Three of these stars are found to have already been confirmed by other research.

Heavy-elements in metal-poor stars: an UV perspective

The site(s) of the r-process(es) is(are) not completely defined, and several models have been proposed. Observed abundances are the best clues to bring some light to this field, especially the study of the extremely metal-poor (EMP) Galactic halo stars. Many elements can be measured using ground-based facilities already available, but the ultraviolet window also presents a rich opportunity in terms of chemical abundances of heavy elements. In fact, for some elements only the UV transitions are strong enough to be useful. Focusing on the project of the Cassegrain U-Band Brazilian Spectrograph (CUBES), we discuss the science case for heavy elements in metal-poor stars, describing the useful lines of trans-Fe elements present in the UV region. Lines in the far UV are also discussed.

Explaining the Ba, Y, Sr, and Eu abundance scatter in metal-poor halo stars: constraints to the r-process

Context. Thanks to the heroic observational campaigns carried out in recent years we now have large samples of metal-poor stars for which measurements of detailed abundances exist. [...] These data hold important clues on the nature of the contribution of the first stellar generations to the enrichment of our Galaxy. Aims. We aim to explain the scatter in Sr, Ba, Y, and Eu abundance ratio diagrams unveiled by the metal-poor halo stars. Methods. We computed inhomogeneous chemical evolution models for the Galactic halo assuming different scenarios for the r-process site: the electron-capture supernovae (EC) and the magnetorotationally driven (MRD) supernovae scenario. We also considered models with and without the contribution of fast-rotating massive stars (spinstars) to an early enrichment by the s-process. A detailed comparison with the now large sample of stars with measured abundances of Sr, Ba, Y, Eu, and Fe is provided (both in terms of scatter plots and number distributions for several abundance ratios). Results. The scatter observed in these abundance ratios of the very metal-poor stars (with [Fe/H] < -2.5) can be explained by combining the s-process production in spinstars, and the r-process contribution coming from massive stars. For the r-process we have developed models for both the EC and the MRD scenario that match the observations. Conclusions. With the present observational and theoretical constraints we cannot distinguish between the EC and the MRD scenario in the Galactic halo. Independently of the r-process scenarios adopted, the production of elements by an s-process in spinstars is needed to reproduce the spread in abundances of the light neutron capture elements (Sr and Y) over heavy neutron capture elements (Ba and Eu). We provide a way to test our suggestions by means of the distribution of the Ba isotopic ratios in a [Ba/Fe] or [Sr/Ba] vs. [Fe/H] diagram.

SEGUE 1: AN UNEVOLVED FOSSIL GALAXY FROM THE EARLY UNIVERSE

We present Magellan/MIKE and Keck/HIRES high-resolution spectra of six red giant stars in the dwarf galaxy Segue 1. Including one additional Segue 1 star observed by Norris et al. (2010), high-resolution spectra have now been obtained for every red giant in Segue 1. Remarkably, three of these seven stars have metallicities below [Fe/H] = -3.5, suggesting that Segue 1 is the least chemically evolved galaxy known. We confirm previous medium-resolution analyses demonstrating that Segue 1 stars span a metallicity range of more than 2 dex, from [Fe/H] = -1.4 to [Fe/H] = -3.8. All of the Segue 1 stars are alpha-enhanced, with [alpha/Fe] ~ 0.5. High alpha-element abundances are typical for metal-poor stars, but in every previously studied galaxy [alpha/Fe] declines for more metal-rich stars, which is typically interpreted as iron enrichment from supernova Ia. The absence of this signature in Segue 1 indicates that it was enriched exclusively by massive stars. Other light element abundance ratios in Segue 1, including carbon-enhancement in the three most metal-poor stars, closely resemble those of metal-poor halo stars. Finally, we classify the most metal-rich star as a CH star given its large overabundances of carbon and s-process elements. The other six stars show remarkably low neutron-capture element abundances of [Sr/H] < -4.9 and [Ba/H] < -4.2, which are comparable to the lowest levels ever detected in halo stars. This suggests minimal neutron-capture enrichment, perhaps limited to a single r-process or weak s-process synthesizing event. Altogether, the chemical abundances of Segue 1 indicate no substantial chemical evolution, supporting the idea that it may be a surviving first galaxy that experienced only one burst of star formation.

POSSIBLE EVIDENCE FOR METAL ACCRETION ONTO THE SURFACES OF METAL-POOR MAIN-SEQUENCE STARS

The entire evolution of the Milky Way, including its mass-assembly and star-formation history, is imprinted onto the chemo-dynamical distribution function of its member stars, f(x, v, [X/H]), in the multi-dimensional phase space spanned by position, velocity, and elemental abundance ratios. In particular, the chemo-dynamical distribution functions for low-mass stars (e.g., G- or K-type dwarfs) are precious tracers of the earliest stages of the Milky Way's formation, since their main-sequence lifetimes approach or exceed the age of the universe. A basic tenet of essentially all previous analyses is that the stellar metallicity, usually parametrized as [Fe/H], is conserved over time for main-sequence stars (at least those that have not been polluted due to mass transfer from binary companions). If this holds true, any correlations between metallicity and kinematics for long-lived main-sequence stars of different masses, effective temperatures, or spectral types must strictly be the same, since they reflect the same mass-assembly and star-formation histories. By analyzing a sample of nearby metal-poor halo and thick-disk stars on the main sequence, taken from Data Release 8 of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, we find that the median metallicity of G-type dwarfs is systematically higher (by about 0.2 dex) than that of K-type dwarfs having the same median rotational velocity about the Galactic center. If it can be confirmed, this finding may invalidate the long-accepted assumption that the atmospheric metallicities of long-lived stars are conserved over time.

Neutrinos in core-collapse supernovae and nucleosynthesis

Neutrino interactions are a key component of the mechanism for supernova explosions. They also play an important role in the associated nucleosynthesis. Nevertheless, a number of issues remain to be resolved. In this review we summarize research by our group and others on some of these issues. Foremost is the role of neutrinos in the explosion itself. Much effort is now invested in understanding the transport of neutrinos from the core and the role of neutrino heated convection in the outer envelopes. In addition to the neutrino transport issues, we review some current topics in neutrino-induced nucleosynthesis (the ν- and νp-processes). We review some current issues regarding the synthesis of the ν-process isotopes 180Ta and 138La and summarize the application of the ν-process chronometers, 136, 138Ce, 138La, and 92Nb. We also consider the light ν-process isotopes 7Li and 11B and summarize how neutrino oscillations and nucleosynthesis might constrain the neutrino mass hierarchy. We will also review the current dilemma regarding the nucleosynthesis of heavy elements by rapid neutron capture in the neutrino energized wind above the nascent neutron star. We also review the crucial role of neutrino reactions and heating above the high-temperature accretion disc around the black hole of a failed supernova (collapsar model). This collapsar model for long-duration gamma ray bursts is a possible site for r-process nucleosynthesis. We present numerical r-process calculations in the context of a magnetohydrodynamics + neutrino pair heated collapsar simulation. Neutrino heating of the jet is crucial for achieving the required relativistic outflow and at the same time generating material with a high neutron excess. During the late time evolution of the jet an r-process-like abundance distribution is formed within neutrino heated regions of the relativistic outflowing jet. Indeed, sufficient mass is ejected within the flow to account for the observed r-process abundance distribution along with the large dispersion in r-process elements observed in metal-poor halo stars. Finally, we discuss the nuclear physics issues and possible role of relic supernova neutrinos in resolving the supernova rate problem.

THE &lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;H(α, γ)&lt;sup&gt;6&lt;/sup&gt;LI REACTION AT LUNA AND BIG BANG NUCLEOSYNTHETIS

The &lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;H(α, γ)&lt;sup&gt;6&lt;/sup&gt;Li reaction is the leading process for the production of &lt;sup&gt;6&lt;/sup&gt;Li in standard Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. Recent observations of lithium abundance in metal-poor halo stars suggest that there might be a 6Li plateau, similar to the well-known Spite plateau of &lt;sup&gt;7&lt;/sup&gt;Li. This calls for a re-investigation of the standard production channel for &lt;sup&gt;6&lt;/sup&gt;Li. As the &lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;H(α, γ)&lt;sup&gt;6&lt;/sup&gt;Li cross section drops steeply at low energy, it has never before been studied directly at Big Bang energies. For the first time the reaction has been studied directly at Big Bang energies at the LUNA accelerator. The preliminary data and their implications for Big Bang nucleosynthesis and the purported &lt;sup&gt;6&lt;/sup&gt;Li problem will be shown.

Search for new resonant states in10C and11C and their impact on the cosmological lithium problem

The observed primordial 7Li abundance in metal-poor halo stars is found to be lower than its Big-Bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) calculated value by a factor of approximately three. Some recent works suggested the possibility that this discrepancy originates from missing resonant reactions which would destroy the 7Be, parent of 7Li. The most promising candidate resonances which were found include a possibly missed 1- or 2- narrow state around 15 MeV in the compound nucleus 10C formed by 7Be+3He and a state close to 7.8 MeV in the compound nucleus 11C formed by 7Be+4He. In this work, we studied the high excitation energy region of 10C and the low excitation energy region in 11C via the reactions 10B(3He,t)10C and 11B(3He,t)11C, respectively, at the incident energy of 35 MeV. Our results for 10C do not support 7Be+3He as a possible solution for the 7Li problem. Concerning 11C results, the data show no new resonances in the excitation energy region of interest and this excludes 7Be+4He reaction channel as an explanation for the 7Li deficit.

A study of two high-velocity red horizontal branch stars

Context. High-velocity halo stars provide important information about the properties of the extreme Galactic halo. The study of Population II unbound and bound stars enables us better estimate the mass of the halo. Aims. We carried out a detailed spectroscopic and kinematic study of two red horizontal branch stars, CD-41 15048 and HD 214362. Methods. The atmospheric parameters, chemical abundances, and kinematical properties were determined using high-resolution optical spectroscopy and employing the local thermodynamic equilibrium model atmospheres of Kurucz and the spectral analysis code moog. Results. We found that CD-41 15048 and HD 214362 are metal-poor red horizontal branch stars. Their abundance patterns are similar to other metal-poor halo stars already investigated. Our kinematic analysis of the 3D space motions shows that HD 214362 has a highly eccentric (e = 0:95) orbit and passes at 2 kpc from the Galactic center. CD-41 15048, for an adopted distance of 1.3 kpc, has an extreme retrograde motion and travels with very high velocity relative to the Galactocentric reference frame (VGRF = 583 km s 1 ). Conclusions. CD-41 15048 is a bound or an unbound star, depending on the adopted Galactic potential. We also show that the red horizontal branch star BD+09 3223 is another example of a hypervelocity star. Whether it is bound or unbound to the Galaxy depends on the assumed mass and adopted Galactic potential. Possible origins of these two high-velocity stars are briefly discussed. CD-41 15048 and BD+09 3223 are further examples of evolved stars to join the restricted group of hypervelocity stars. Finally, our results seem to contradict the idea that a passage of a star very close to the Galactic center is the only possible origin of hypervelocity stars.

CHEMICAL ABUNDANCE ANALYSIS OF A NEUTRON-CAPTURE ENHANCED RED GIANT IN THE BULGE PLAUT FIELD

We present chemical abundances for 27 elements ranging from oxygen to erbium in the metal-poor ([Fe/H] = –1.67) bulge red giant branch star 2MASS 18174532-3353235. The results are based on equivalent width and spectrum synthesis analyses of a high-resolution (R ~ 30, 000) spectrum obtained with the Magellan-MIKE spectrograph. While the light (Z 30) element abundance patterns match those of similar metallicity bulge and halo stars, the strongly enhanced heavy element abundances are more similar to r-II halo stars (e.g., CS 22892-052) typically found at [Fe/H] – 2.5. We find that the heaviest elements (Z ≥ 56) closely follow the scaled-solar r-process abundance pattern. We do not find evidence supporting significant s-process contributions; however, the intermediate mass elements (e.g., Y and Zr) appear to have been produced through a different process than the heaviest elements. The light and heavy element abundance patterns of 2MASS 18174532-3353235 are in good agreement with the more metal-poor r-process enhanced stars CS 22892-052 and BD +17o3248. 2MASS 18174532-3353235 also shares many chemical characteristics with the similar metallicity but comparatively α-poor Ursa Minor dwarf galaxy giant COS 82. Interestingly, the Mo and Ru abundances of 2MASS 18174532-3353235 are also strongly enhanced and follow a similar trend recently found to be common in moderately metal-poor main-sequence turn-off halo stars.

Neutron-capture element deficiency of the Hercules dwarf spheroidal galaxy

We present an assessment of the barium abundance ratios for red giant member stars in the faint Hercules dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxy. Our results are drawn from intermediate-resolution FLAMES/GIRAFFE spectra around the Ba II 6141.71 AA absorption line at low signal-to-noise ratios. For three brighter stars we were able to gain estimates from direct equivalent-width measurements, while for the remaining eight stars only upper limits could be obtained. These results are investigated in a statistical manner and indicate very low Ba abundances of log epsilon (Ba) < 0.7 dex (3 sigma). We discuss various possible systematic biasses, first and foremost, a blend with the Fe I 6141.73 AA-line, but most of those would only lead to even lower abundances. A better match with metal-poor halo and dSph stars can only be reached by including a large uncertainty in the continuum placement. This contrasts with the high dispersions in iron and calcium (in excess of 1 dex) in this galaxy. While the latter spreads are typical of the very low luminosity, dark-matter dominated dSphs, a high level of depletion in heavy elements suggests that chemical enrichment in Hercules was governed by very massive stars, coupled with a very low star formation efficiency. While very low abundances of some heavy elements are also found in individual stars of other dwarf galaxies, this is the first time that a very low Ba abundance is found within an entire dSph over a broad metallicity range.

THE MOST METAL-POOR STARS. II. CHEMICAL ABUNDANCES OF 190 METAL-POOR STARS INCLUDING 10 NEW STARS WITH [Fe/H] ⩽ –3.5, ,

We present a homogeneous chemical abundance analysis of 16 elements in 190 metal-poor Galactic halo stars (38 program and 152 literature objects). The sample includes 171 stars with [Fe/H] < -2.5, of which 86 are extremely metal poor, [Fe/H] < -3.0. Our program stars include ten new objects with [Fe/H] < -3.5. We identify a sample of "normal" metal-poor stars and measure the trends between [X/Fe] and [Fe/H], as well as the dispersion about the mean trend for this sample. Using this mean trend, we identify objects that are chemically peculiar relative to "normal" stars at the same metallicity. These chemically unusual stars include CEMP-no objects, one star with high [Si/Fe], another with high [Ba/Sr], and one with unusually low [X/Fe] for all elements heavier than Na. The Sr and Ba abundances indicate that there may be two nucleosynthetic processes at lowest metallicity that are distinct from the main r-process. Finally, for many elements, we find a significant trend between [X/Fe] versus Teff which likely reflects non-LTE and/or 3D effects. Such trends demonstrate that care must be exercised when using abundance measurements in metal-poor stars to constrain chemical evolution and/or nucleosynthesis predictions.

NEW HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS OF HEAVY ELEMENTS IN FOUR METAL-POOR STARS

Elements heavier than the iron group are found in nearly all halo stars. A substantial number of these elements, key to understanding neutron-capture nucleosynthesis mechanisms, can only be detected in the near-ultraviolet. We report the results of an observing campaign using the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph on board the Hubble Space Telescope to study the detailed heavy element abundance patterns in four metal-poor stars. We derive abundances or upper limits from 27 absorption lines of 15 elements produced by neutron-capture reactions, including seven elements (germanium, cadmium, tellurium, lutetium, osmium, platinum, and gold) that can only be detected in the near-ultraviolet. We also examine 202 heavy element absorption lines in ground-based optical spectra obtained with the Magellan Inamori Kyocera Echelle Spectrograph on the Magellan-Clay Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory and the High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer on the Keck I Telescope on Mauna Kea. We have detected up to 34 elements heavier than zinc. The bulk of the heavy elements in these four stars are produced by r-process nucleosynthesis. These observations affirm earlier results suggesting that the tellurium found in metal-poor halo stars with moderate amounts of r-process material scales with the rare earth and third r-process peak elements. Cadmium often follows the abundances of the neighboring elements palladium and silver. We identify several sources of systematic uncertainty that must be considered when comparing these abundances with theoretical predictions. We also present new isotope shift and hyperfine structure component patterns for Lu II and Pb I lines of astrophysical interest.

DETAILED ABUNDANCES OF TWO VERY METAL-POOR STARS IN DWARF GALAXIES

The most metal-poor stars in dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSphs) can show the nucleosynthetic patterns of one or a few supernovae. These supernovae could have zero metallicity, making metal-poor dSph stars the closest surviving links to Population III stars. Metal-poor dSph stars also help to reveal the formation mechanism of the Milky Way halo. We present the detailed abundances from Keck/HIRES spectroscopy for two very metal-poor stars in two Milky Way dSphs. One star, in the Sculptor dSph, has [Fe I/H] = -2.40. The other star, in the Ursa Minor dSph, has [Fe I/H] = -3.16. Both stars fall in the previously discovered low-metallicity, high-[alpha/Fe] plateau. Most abundance ratios of very metal-poor stars in these two dSphs are largely consistent with very metal-poor halo stars. However, the abundances of Na and some r-process elements lie at the lower end of the envelope defined by inner halo stars of similar metallicity. We propose that the metallicity dependence of supernova yields is the cause. The earliest supernovae in low-mass dSphs have less gas to pollute than the earliest supernovae in massive halo progenitors. As a result, dSph stars at -3 < [Fe/H] < -2 sample supernovae with [Fe/H] << -3, whereas halo stars in the same metallicity range sample supernovae with [Fe/H] ~ -3. Consequently, enhancements in [Na/Fe] and [r/Fe] were deferred to higher metallicity in dSphs than in the progenitors of the inner halo.

Signatures of long-lived exotic strongly interacting massive particles on light element abundances through reactions triggered by the particles

A primordial 7Li abundance inferred from observations of metal-poor halo stars is a factor of about three smaller than predictions of standard big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) model. Some particle models beyond the standard model include heavy long-lived colored particles with mass much larger than 1 GeV. They would be confined inside exotic heavy hadrons, i.e., strongly interacting massive particles. We have found possible reactions which destroy 7Be and 7Li in the scenario of BBN including a long-lived sub-strongly interacting massive particle (sub-SIMP, X). The destruction is associated with non radiative X captures of the nuclei, and it can be realized only if the interaction strength between an X and a nucleon is properly weaker than that between two nucleons. Binding energies of nuclei to an X and nuclear reaction rates associated with the X are estimated. We perform a network BBN calculation using the estimated rates, and suggest that the 7Li problem can be solved if long-lived sub-SIMPs have existed.

OXYGEN ABUNDANCES IN LOW- AND HIGH-α FIELD HALO STARS AND THE DISCOVERY OF TWO FIELD STARS BORN IN GLOBULAR CLUSTERS

Oxygen abundances of 67 dwarf stars in the metallicity range -1.6<[Fe/H]<-0.4 are derived from a non-LTE analysis of the 777 nm O I triplet lines. These stars have precise atmospheric parameters measured by Nissen and Schuster, who find that they separate into three groups based on their kinematics and alpha-element (Mg, Si, Ca, Ti) abundances: thick-disk, high-alpha halo, and low-alpha halo. We find the oxygen abundance trends of thick-disk and high-alpha halo stars very similar. The low-alpha stars show a larger star-to-star scatter in [O/Fe] at a given [Fe/H] and have systematically lower oxygen abundances compared to the other two groups. Thus, we find the behavior of oxygen abundances in these groups of stars similar to that of the alpha elements. We use previously published oxygen abundance data of disk and very metal-poor halo stars to present an overall view (-2.3<[Fe/H]<+0.3) of oxygen abundance trends of stars in the solar neighborhood. Two field halo dwarf stars stand out in their O and Na abundances. Both G53-41 and G150-40 have very low oxygen and very high sodium abundances, which are key signatures of the abundance anomalies observed in globular cluster (GC) stars. Therefore, they are likely field halo stars born in GCs. If true, we estimate that at least 3+/-2% of the local field metal-poor star population was born in GCs.

LITHIUM ABUNDANCES IN NEARBY FGK DWARF AND SUBGIANT STARS: INTERNAL DESTRUCTION, GALACTIC CHEMICAL EVOLUTION, AND EXOPLANETS

We derive atmospheric parameters and lithium abundances for 671 stars and include our measurements in a literature compilation of 1381 dwarf and subgiant stars. First, a "lithium desert" in the effective temperature (Teff) versus lithium abundance (A_Li) plane is observed such that no stars with Teff~6075 K and A_Li~1.8 are found. We speculate that most of the stars on the low A_Li side of the desert have experienced a short-lived period of severe surface lithium destruction as main-sequence or subgiant stars. Next, we search for differences in the lithium content of thin-disk and thick-disk stars, but we find that internal processes have erased from the stellar photospheres their possibly different histories of lithium enrichment. Nevertheless, we note that the maximum lithium abundance of thick-disk stars is nearly constant from [Fe/H]=-1.0 to -0.1, at a value that is similar to that measured in very metal-poor halo stars (A_Li~2.2). Finally, differences in the lithium abundance distribution of known planet-host stars relative to otherwise ordinary stars appear when restricting the samples to narrow ranges of Teff or mass, but they are fully explained by age and metallicity biases. We confirm the lack of a connection between low lithium abundance and planets. However, we find that no low A_Li planet-hosts are found in the desert Teff window. Provided that subtle sample biases are not responsible for this observation, this suggests that the presence of gas giant planets inhibit the mechanism responsible for the lithium desert.

The cosmological 7Li problem from a nuclear physics perspective

The primordial abundance of 7Li as predicted by Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) is more than a factor 2 larger than what has been observed in metal-poor halo stars. Herein, we analyze the possibility that this discrepancy originates from incorrect assumptions about the nuclear reaction cross sections relevant for BBN. To do this, we introduce an efficient method to calculate the changes in the 7Li abundance produced by arbitrary (temperature dependent) modifications of the nuclear reaction rates. Then, considering that 7Li is mainly produced from 7Be via the electron capture process 7Be+e− → 7Li+νe, we assess the impact of the various channels of 7Be destruction. Differently from previous analysis, we consider the role of unknown resonances by using a complete formalism which takes into account the effect of Coulomb and centrifugal barrier penetration and that does not rely on the use of the narrow-resonance approximation. As a result of this, the possibility of a nuclear physics solution to the 7Li problem is significantly suppressed. Given the present experimental and theoretical constraints, it is unlikely that the 7Be+n destruction rate is underestimated by the 2.5 factor required to solve the problem. We exclude, moreover, that resonant destruction in the channels 7Be+t and 7Be+3He can explain the 7Li puzzle. New unknown resonances in 7Be+d and 7Be+α could potentially produce significant effects. Recent experimental results have ruled out such a possibility for 7Be+d. On the other hand, for the 7Be+α channel very favorable conditions are required. The possible existence of a partially suitable resonant level in 11C is studied in the framework of a coupled-channel model and the possibility of a direct measurement is considered.

DETECTION OF ELEMENTS AT ALL THREEr-PROCESS PEAKS IN THE METAL-POOR STAR HD 160617,,

We report the first detection of elements at all three r-process peaks in the metal-poor halo star HD 160617. These elements include arsenic and selenium, which have not been detected previously in halo stars, and the elements tellurium, osmium, iridium, and platinum, which have been detected previously. Absorption lines of these elements are found in archive observations made with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph onboard the Hubble Space Telescope. We present up-to-date absolute atomic transition probabilities and complete line component patterns for these elements. Additional archival spectra of this star from several ground-based instruments allow us to derive abundances or upper limits of 45 elements in HD 160617, including 27 elements produced by neutron-capture reactions. The average abundances of the elements at the three r-process peaks are similar to the predicted solar system r-process residuals when scaled to the abundances in the rare earth element domain. This result for arsenic and selenium may be surprising in light of predictions that the production of the lightest r-process elements generally should be decoupled from the heavier r-process elements.

Effect of exotic long-lived sub-strongly interacting massive particles in big bang nucleosynthesis and a new solution to the Li problem

The plateau of 7 Li abundance as a function of the iron abundance by spec- troscopic observations of metal-poor halo stars (MPHSs) indicates its primordial origin. The observed abundance levels are about a factor of three smaller than the primordial 7 Li abundance predicted in the standard Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) model. This discrepancy might originate from exotic particle and nuclear processes operating in BBN epoch. Some particle models include heavy (m 1 GeV) long-lived colored particles which would be confined inside exotic heavy hadrons, i.e., strongly interacting massive particles (SIMPs). We have found reactions which destroy 7 Be and 7 Li during BBN in the scenario of BBN catalyzed by a long-lived sub-strongly interacting massive particle (sub-SIMP, X). The reactions are non radiative X captures of 7 Be and 7 Li which can be operative if the X particle interacts with nuclei strongly enough to drive 7 Be destruction but not strongly enough to form a bound state with 4 He of relative angular momentum L = 1. We suggest that 7 Li problem can be solved as a result of a new process beyond the standard model through which the observable signature was left on the primordial Li abundance.