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Lithium synthesis in microquasar accretion.
1The Oskar Klein Center for CosmoParticle Physics, Department of Physics, Stockholm University, Albanova, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
Physical Review Letters
|October 4, 2012
Summary
Stellar mass black holes can produce significant amounts of lithium-6 and lithium-7 isotopes. This production may explain the galaxy
Area of Science:
- Astrophysics
- Nuclear Astrophysics
- Black Hole Physics
Background:
- Lithium abundance in the universe is a long-standing puzzle.
- Known nucleosynthesis pathways do not fully account for observed lithium levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate lithium isotope synthesis in accretion tori around stellar mass black holes.
- Quantify the potential contribution of black hole accretion to galactic lithium abundance.
Main Methods:
- Simulate nucleosynthesis within hot tori formed by stellar accretion onto black holes.
- Model the physical conditions and chemical evolution in these extreme environments.
Main Results:
- Sizable production of both lithium-6 (6Li) and lithium-7 (7Li) isotopes is possible.
- Yields can reach up to 10(-2) solar masses for each isotope, depending on torus properties.
- This production rate is sufficient to match or exceed pregalactic lithium levels.
Conclusions:
- Accretion disks around stellar mass black holes are a significant, previously overlooked source of galactic lithium.
- Black hole nucleosynthesis offers a compelling solution to the galactic lithium problem.
- This mechanism can outcompete other lithium production routes like cosmic-ray spallation.
