2012MNRAS.425.2477P

The metal-poor (Z ≃ 1/100Z_☉) damped Lyman α system (DLA) at redshift z_abs= 3.04984 in the z_em≃ 3.030 QSO SDSS J1419+0829 has near-ideal properties for an accurate determination of the primordial abundance of deuterium (D/H)_p. We have analysed a high-quality spectrum of this object with software specifically designed to deduce the best-fitting value of D/H and to assess comprehensively the random and systematic errors affecting this determination. We find (D/H)_DLA= (2.535±0.05) {x} 10^–5, which in turn implies Ω_b, 0_h²=0.0223±0.0009, in very good agreement with Ω_b, 0_h²(CMB)=0.0222±0.0004 deduced from the angular power spectrum of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). If the value in this DLA is indeed the true (D/H)_p produced by big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN), there may be no need to invoke non-standard physics nor early astration of D to bring together Ω_b, 0_h²(BBN) and Ω_b, 0_h²(CMB). The scatter between most of the reported values of (D/H)_p in the literature may be due largely to unaccounted systematic errors and biases. Further progress in this area will require a homogeneous set of data comparable to those reported here and analysed in a self-consistent manner. Such an endeavour, while observationally demanding, has the potential of improving our understanding of BBN physics, including the relevant nuclear reactions, and the subsequent processing of light nuclides through stars.

Based on observations collected at the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern hemisphere, Chile [Very Large Telescope programme ID 085.A-0109(A)].