Constraining the dark energy with galaxy clusters X-ray data

Abstract

The equation of state characterizing the dark energy component is constrained by combining Chandra observations of the X-ray luminosity of galaxy clusters with independent measurements of the baryonic matter density and the latest measurements of the Hubble parameter as given by the HST key project. By assuming a spatially flat scenario driven by a "quintessence" component with an equation of state $p_x = ωρ_x$ we place the following limits on the cosmological parameters $ω$ and $Ω_{\rm{m}}$: (i) $-1 \leq ω\leq -0.55$ and $Ω_{\rm m} = 0.32^{+0.027}_{-0.014}$ (1$σ$) if the equation of state of the dark energy is restricted to the interval $-1 \leq ω< 0$ (\emph{usual} quintessence) and (ii) $ω= -1.29^{+0.686}_{-0.792}$ and $Ω_{\rm{m}} = 0.31^{+0.037}_{-0.034}$ ($1σ$) if $ω$ violates the null energy condition and assume values $< -1$ (\emph{extended} quintessence or ``phantom'' energy). These results are in good agreement with independent studies based on supernovae observations, large-scale structure and the anisotropies of the cosmic background radiation.