IUCAA Preprints

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    Physical conditions in the ISM towards HD185418
    (2005-06-01) Shaw, Gargi; Srianand, R.
    We have developed a complete model of the hydrogen molecule as part of the spectral simulation code Cloudy. Our goal is to apply this to spectra of high-redshift star-forming regions where H2 absorption is seen, but where few other details are known, to understand its implication for star formation. The microphysics of H2 is intricate, and it is important to validate these numerical simulations in better-understood environments. This paper studies a well-defined line-of-sight through the Galactic interstellar medium (ISM) as a test of the microphysics and methods we use. We present a self-consistent calculation of the observed absorption-line spectrum to derive the physical conditions in the ISM towards HD185418, a ine-of-sight with many observables. We deduce density, temperature, local radiation field, cosmic ray ionization rate, chemical composition and compare these conclusions with conditions deduced from analytical calculations. We find a higher density, similar abundances, and require a cosmic ray flux enhanced over the Galactic background value, consistent with enhancements redicted by MHD simulations.
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    Cosmological cosmic rays and the observed Li6 plateau in metal poor halo stars
    (2005-01-01) Rollinde, Emmanuel; Elisabeth, Vangioni-Flam; Olive, Keith A
    Very recent observations of the 6Li isotope in halo stars reveal a 6Li plateau about 1000 times above the predicted BBN abundance. We calculate the evolution of 6Li versus redshift generated from an initial burst of cosmological cosmic rays (CCRs) up to the formation of the Galaxy. We show that the pregalactic production of the 6Li isotope can account for the 6Li plateau observed in metal poor halo stars without additional overproduction of 7Li. The derived relation between the amplitude of the CCR energy spectra and the redshift of the initial CCR production puts constraints on the physics and history of the objects, such as pop III stars, responsible for these early cosmic rays. Consequently, we consider the evolution of 6Li in the Galaxy. Since 6Li is also produced in Galactic cosmic ray nucleosynthesis, we argue that halo stars with metalIicities between [Fe/H) = -2 and -1, must be somewhat depleted in 6Li.