Closing in on the Primordial Abundance of Deuterium
Abstract
Description
We present our measurements of the deuterium to hydrogen ratio (D/H) in QSO absorption systems, which give D/H = 3.40 $\pm 0.25 \times 10^{-5}$ based on analysis of four independent systems. We discuss the properties of two systems which provide the strongest constraints on D/H. We outline the systematic effects involved in measurements of D/H and introduce a sophisticated method of analysis which properly accounts for these effects.
11 pages, Kluwer Latex, 4 figures. To appear in the proceedings of the ISSI workshop, "Primordial Nuclei and their Galactic Evolution"
11 pages, Kluwer Latex, 4 figures. To appear in the proceedings of the ISSI workshop, "Primordial Nuclei and their Galactic Evolution"