1. Probing Time-Dependent Fundamental Constants with Nucleosynthesis in Population III Stars
- Author
-
Kanji Mori and Ken’ichi Nomoto
- Subjects
population iii star ,supernova ,metal-poor star ,nucleosynthesis ,triple-α reaction ,Mathematics ,QA1-939 - Abstract
Variations of fundamental physical constants have been sought for many years using various astronomical objects because their discovery can be key to developing beyond-standard physics. In particular, nuclear reaction rates are sensitive to fundamental constants, so nucleosynthetic processes can be used as a probe. We calculate the evolution and nucleosynthesis of massive Population III stars with the time-dependent nucleon−nucleon interaction δ NN , which may have left traces in elemental abundances in extremely metal-poor stars. The results are compared with the abundances in the most iron-poor star that has ever been discovered, namely, SMSS J031300.36-670839.3. It is found that calcium production in Population III stars is very sensitive to variations of the triple- α reaction rate and hence δ NN . We conclude that variations of the nucleon−nucleon interaction are constrained as - 0 . 002 < δ NN < 0 . 002 at the redshift z ∼ 20 , assuming that calcium in SMSS J031300.36-670839.3 originates from hydrogen burning in a massive Population III star.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF