arXiv subjects

Eleonora Di Valentino

Publications and source records attributed to Eleonora Di Valentino.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2025

Cosmic Strings as Dynamical Dark Energy: Novel Constraints

Cosmic strings, topological defects predicted by high-energy theories, may contribute to the late-time expansion of the Universe, effectively mimicking dynamical dark energy. We investigate four phenomenological extensions of the $Λ$CDM model involving a residual string network: (i) a non-relativistic component with positive energy density (Model~1), (ii) a velocity-dependent extension (Model~2), (iii) a non-relativistic string network with energy density allowed to take both positive and negative values (Model~3), and (iv) a general scenario with free energy and velocity parameters (Model~4). These models are constrained using \textit{Planck} CMB data, SDSS or DESI baryon acoustic oscillations, and Type Ia supernovae observations. Models~1 and~2 yield strong upper bounds on the string density, for example, $Ω_{\mathrm{s}} < 0.00901$ at 95\% CL from the CMB+DESI+DESY5 combination for Model~2, and mildly shift the inferred value of $H_0$ upward, though they are not favored by Bayesian evidence. For the same combination, the bulk velocity is bound as $v_{\mathrm{s}} < 0.569$. Models~3 and~4 exhibit a consistent preference for slightly negative values of $Ω_{\mathrm{s}}$, with CMB-only data yielding $Ω_{\mathrm{s}} = -0.038^{+0.029}_{-0.022}$ and $v_{\mathrm{s}}< 0.574$ in Model~4, and a best-fit improvement of $Δχ^2 = -6.07$. However, these improvements are not sufficient to overcome the Occam penalty, and the Bayesian evidence continues to favor $Λ$CDM. These findings demonstrate the power of current data to constrain exotic energy components and encourage further exploration of string-inspired extensions to $Λ$CDM, particularly those involving negative-tension networks.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Planck-PR4 anisotropy spectra show (better) consistency with General Relativity

We present the results from a series of analyses on two parametric tests of gravity that modify the growth of linear, sub-horizon matter perturbations in the $Λ$CDM model. The first test, known as the $(μ,Σ)$ framework, modifies the Poisson and lensing equations from General Relativity (GR). The second test introduces the growth index $γ$, which directly affects the time evolution of matter density perturbations. Our study is motivated by results from the analysis of the Planck-PR3 2018 spectra, which indicate a preference for $Σ_0 \neq 0$ and $γ_0 > 0.55$, both of which deviate from the $Λ$CDM predictions at a significance level of $\sim 2.5σ$. To clarify the nature of these anomalous results and understand how the lensing anomaly fits into the picture, we analyze the most recent Planck-PR4 spectra extracted from the updated \texttt{NPIPE} maps. Overall, the Planck-PR4 data show better consistency with GR. The updated likelihood \texttt{Camspec} provides constraints on $Σ_0$ and $γ_0$ that are consistent with GR within $1.5σ$ and $2σ$, respectively. The updated likelihoods \texttt{HiLLiPoP} and \texttt{LoLLiPoP} show even closer agreement, with all parameter values consistent with a $Λ$CDM cosmology within $1σ$. This enhanced consistency is closely correlated with the lensing anomaly. Across the different likelihoods, the tendency of $Σ_0$ and $γ_0$ to drift towards non-standard values matches the observed preference for $A_L > 1$, both of which are significantly reduced or disappear within the Planck-PR4 data.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Probing the cold nature of dark matter

A pressureless dark matter component fits well with several cosmological observations. However, there are indications that cold dark matter may encounter challenges in explaining observations at small scales, particularly at galactic scales. Observational data suggest that dark matter models incorporating a pressure component could provide solutions to these small-scale problems. In this work, we investigate the possibility that present-day dark matter may result from a decaying non-cold dark matter sector transitioning into the dark energy sector. As the sensitivity of astronomical surveys rapidly increases, we explore an interacting scenario between dark energy and non-cold dark matter, where dark energy has a constant equation of state ($w_{\rm de}$), and dark matter, being non-cold, also has a constant (non-zero) equation of state ($w_{\rm dm}$). Considering the phantom and quintessence nature of dark energy, characterized by its equation of state, we separately analyze interacting phantom and interacting quintessence scenarios. We constrain these scenarios using Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) measurements and their combination with external probes, such as DESI-BAO and PantheonPlus. From our analyses, we find that a very mild preference for non-cold dark matter cannot be excluded based on the employed datasets. Additionally, for some datasets, there is a pronounced preference for the presence of an interaction at more than 95\% confidence level (CL). Moreover, when the dark energy equation of state lies in the phantom regime, the $S_8$ tension can be alleviated. This study suggests that cosmological models incorporating a non-cold dark matter component should be considered as viable scenarios with novel phenomenological implications, as reflected in the present work.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

An overview of what current data can (and cannot yet) say about evolving dark energy

Recent measurements of Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) and distance moduli from Type Ia supernovae suggest a preference for Dynamical Dark Energy (DDE) scenarios characterized by a time-varying equation of state (EoS). This focused review assesses its robustness across independent measurements and surveys. Using the Chevallier-Polarski-Linder (CPL) parametrization to describe the evolution of the DE EoS, we analyze over 35 dataset combinations, incorporating Planck Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) anisotropies, three independent Type Ia supernova (SN) catalogs (PantheonPlus, Union3, DESY5), BAO measurements from DESI and SDSS, and expansion rate measurements $H(z)$ inferred from the relative ages of massive, passively evolving galaxies at early cosmic times known as Cosmic Chronometers (CC). This review has two main objectives: first, to evaluate the statistical significance of the DDE preference across different dataset combinations, which incorporate varying sources of information. Specifically, we consider cases where only low-redshift probes are used in different combinations, others where individual low-redshift probes are analyzed together with CMB data, and finally, scenarios where high- and low-redshift probes are included in all possible independent combinations. Second, we provide a reader-friendly synthesis of what the latest cosmological and astrophysical probes can (and cannot yet) reveal about DDE. Overall, our findings highlight that combinations that \textit{simultaneously} include PantheonPlus SN and SDSS BAO significantly weaken the preference for DDE. However, intriguing hints supporting DDE emerge in combinations that do not include DESI-BAO measurements: SDSS-BAO combined with SN from Union3 and DESY5 (with and without CMB) support the preference for DDE.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

A low-redshift preference for an interacting dark energy model

We explore an interacting dark sector model in trace-free Einstein gravity where dark energy has a constant equation of state, $w=-1$, and the energy-momentum transfer potential is proportional to the cold dark matter density. Compared to the standard $Λ$CDM model, this scenario introduces a single additional dimensionless parameter, $ε$, which determines the amplitude of the transfer potential. Using a combination of \textit{Planck} 2018 Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), DESI 2024 Baryon Acoustic Oscillation (BAO), and Pantheon+ Type Ia supernovae (SNIa) data, we derive stringent constraints on the interaction, finding $ε$ to be of the order of $\sim \mathcal{O}(10^{-4})$. While CMB and SNIa data alone do not favor the presence of such an interaction, the inclusion of DESI data introduces a mild $1σ$ preference for an energy-momentum transfer from dark matter to dark energy. This preference is primarily driven by low-redshift DESI BAO measurements, which favor a slightly lower total matter density $Ω_m$ compared to CMB constraints. Although the interaction remains weak and does not significantly alleviate the $H_0$ and $S_8$ tensions, our results highlight the potential role of dark sector interactions in late-time cosmology.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Exploring the Growth-Index ($γ$) Tension with $Λ_{\rm s}$CDM

Recent observational analyses have revealed a significant tension in the growth index $γ$, which characterizes the growth rate of cosmic structures. Specifically, when treating $γ$ as a free parameter within $Λ$CDM framework, a combination of Planck and $ fσ_8 $ data yields $γ\approx 0.64$, in $\sim4σ$ tension with the theoretically expected value $γ\approx 0.55$ (assuming general relativity). This discrepancy, closely related to the $ S_8 $ tension, poses a new challenge to the standard cosmological model by suggesting that it predicts an excessive growth of structure. In this work, we demonstrate that the $Λ_{\rm s}$CDM framework (featuring a rapid sign-switching cosmological constant (mirror AdS-to-dS transition) in the late universe at redshift $ z_\dagger \sim 2 $) can simultaneously alleviate the $ γ$, $ H_0 $, and $ S_8 $ tensions. We also examined a scenario with fixed $ z_\dagger = 1.7 $, previously identified as a sweet spot for alleviating multiple major cosmological tensions (including those in $ H_0 $, $ M_B $, and $ S_8 $) finding that it completely eliminates both the $ γ$ and $ H_0 $ tensions, although it is statistically disfavored by our dataset combinations. Our findings suggest that $Λ_{\rm s}$CDM is a promising model, providing a potential unified resolution to multiple major cosmological tensions.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Sign Switching in Dark Sector Coupling Interactions as a Candidate for Resolving Cosmological Tensions

The $Λ$CDM model has successfully explained a wide range of cosmological observations, but is increasingly challenged by the emergence of cosmological tensions, particularly the Hubble Tension $H_0$ and the $S_8$ tension. The Hubble Tension, with a significance above 5$σ$, and the $S_8$ tension, showing a discrepancy of approximately 2-4$σ$, highlight inconsistencies between measurements of the local and early universe. This paper expands a well-established Interacting Dark Energy (IDE) phenomenological scenario, where dark matter (DM) can transfer energy to dark energy (DE) or vice versa, depending on the sign of the coupling parameter $ξ$. The novel feature consists in a transition mechanism which reverses the direction of the energy-momentum transfer after the redshift where the densities of the dark species are the same. We evaluate this model using a comprehensive set of recent observational data, including Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) from the DESI survey, Type Ia Supernovae from the PantheonPlus, DESY5 and Union3 samples, and Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) data from Planck. Our analysis shows that this scenario can potentially relax both the $H_0$ and $S_8$ tensions simultaneously. We find the new model to be weakly preferred over $Λ$CDM by BAO-DESI data. However, we show that the IDE model features positive Bayesian evidence compared to $Λ$CDM only when Cepheid distance calibration in the SH0ES sample is used to calibrate SNIa data from PantheonPlus.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Kinetic Model for Dark Energy - Dark Matter Interaction: Scenario for the Hubble Tension

We analyze a model for Dark Energy - Dark Matter interaction, based on a decaying process of the former into the latter. The dynamical equations are constructed following a kinetic formulation, which separates the interacting fluctuations from an equilibrium distribution of both species. The emerging dynamical picture consists of coupled equations, which are specialized in the case of a Dark Energy equation of state parameter; we deal with a modified Lambda Cold Dark Matter ($Λ$CDM) model, which is investigated versus a possible interpretation of the Hubble tension. Using an optimized set of the model's free parameters, it can be shown that the obtained Hubble parameter can, in principle, address the tension. We then use the most recent datasets from late Universe sources and compressed information from the Cosmic Microwave Background data to constrain the free parameters and compare the addressed scenario to the standard $Λ$CDM model. The study outlines how our proposal is preferred by the data in all cases, based on fit quality, while also alleviating the tension.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

How robust are the parameter constraints extending the $Λ$CDM model?

We present model-marginalized limits on the six standard $Λ$CDM cosmological parameters ($Ω_{\rm c} h^2$, $Ω_{\rm b} h^2$, $θ_{\rm MC}$, $τ_{\rm reio}$, $n_s$ and $A_s$), as well as on selected derived quantities ($H_0$, $Ω_{\rm m}$, $σ_8$, $S_8$ and $r_{\rm drag}$), obtained by considering several extensions of the $Λ$CDM model and three independent Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) experiments: the Planck satellite, the Atacama Cosmology Telescope, and South Pole Telescope. We also consider low redshift observations in the form of Baryon Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) data from the SDSS-IV eBOSS survey and Supernovae (SN) distance moduli measurements from the \textit{Pantheon-Plus} catalog. The marginalized errors are stable against the different minimal extensions of the $Λ$CDM model explored in this study. The largest impact on the parameter accuracy is produced by varying the effective number of relativistic degrees of freedom ($N_{\rm eff}$) or the lensing amplitude ($A_{\rm lens}$). Nevertheless, the marginalized errors on some \textit{derived} parameters such as $H_0$ or $Ω_{\rm m}$ can be up to two orders of magnitude larger than in the canonical $Λ$CDM scenario when considering only CMB data. In these cases, low redshift measurements are crucial for restoring the stability of the marginalized cosmological errors computed here. Overall, our results underscore remarkable stability in the mean values and precision of the main cosmological parameters once both high and low redshift probes are fully accounted for. The marginalized values can be used in numerical analyses due to their robustness and slightly larger errors, providing a more realistic and conservative approach.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Testing an oscillatory behavior of dark energy

The main aim of this work is to use a model-independent approach, along with late-time observational probes, to reconstruct the dark energy (DE) equation of state $w_{\rm DE}(z)$. Our analysis showed that, for a late time universe, $w_{\rm DE}$ deviates from being a constant but in contrast exhibits an oscillatory behavior, hence both quintessence ($w_{\rm DE}> -1$) and phantom ($w_{\rm DE} < -1$) regimes are equally allowed. In order to portray this oscillatory behavior, we explored various parametrizations for the equation of state and identified the closest approximation based on the goodness of fit with the data and the Bayesian evidence analysis. Our findings indicated that while all considered oscillating DE parametrizations provided a better fit to the data, compared to the cosmological constant, they are penalized in the Bayesian evidence analysis due to the additional free parameters. Overall, the present article demonstrates that in the low redshift regime, the equation of state of the DE prefers to be dynamical and oscillating. We anticipate that future cosmological probes will take a stand in this direction.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Neutrino cosmology after DESI: tightest mass upper limits, preference for the normal ordering, and tension with terrestrial observations

The recent DESI Baryon Acoustic Oscillation measurements have led to tight upper limits on the neutrino mass sum, potentially in tension with oscillation constraints requiring $\sum m_ν \gtrsim 0.06\,{\text{eV}}$. Under the physically motivated assumption of positive $\sum m_ν$, we study the extent to which these limits are tightened by adding other available cosmological probes, and robustly quantify the preference for the normal mass ordering over the inverted one, as well as the tension between cosmological and terrestrial data. Combining DESI data with Cosmic Microwave Background measurements and several late-time background probes, the tightest $2σ$ limit we find without including a local $H_0$ prior is $\sum m_ν<0.05\,{\text{eV}}$. This leads to a strong preference for the normal ordering, with Bayes factor relative to the inverted one of $46.5$. Depending on the dataset combination and tension metric adopted, we quantify the tension between cosmological and terrestrial observations as ranging between $2.5σ$ and $5σ$. These results are strenghtened when allowing for a time-varying dark energy component with equation of state lying in the physically motivated non-phantom regime, $w(z) \geq -1$, highlighting an interesting synergy between the nature of dark energy and laboratory probes of the mass ordering. If these tensions persist and cannot be attributed to systematics, either or both standard neutrino (particle) physics or the underlying cosmological model will have to be questioned.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Interacting Dark Energy after DESI Baryon Acoustic Oscillation measurements

We investigate the implications of the Baryon Acoustic Oscillations measurement released by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) for Interacting Dark Energy (IDE) models characterized by an energy-momentum flow from Dark Matter to Dark Energy. By combining Planck-2018 and DESI data, we observe a preference for interactions, leading to a non-vanishing interaction rate $ξ=-0.32^{+0.18}_{-0.14}$, which results in a present-day expansion rate $H_0=70.8^{+1.4}_{-1.7}$ km/s/Mpc, reducing the tension with the value provided by the SH0ES collaboration to less than $\sim 1.3 σ$. The preference for interactions remains robust when including measurements of the expansion rate $H(z)$ obtained from the relative ages of massive, early-time, and passively-evolving galaxies, as well as when considering distance moduli measurements from Type-Ia Supernovae sourced from the Pantheon-plus catalog using the SH0ES Cepheid host distances as calibrators. Overall, the IDE framework provides an equally good, or better, explanation of both high- and low-redshift background observations compared to $Λ$CDM, while also yielding higher $H_0$ values that align more closely with the local distance ladder estimates. However, a limitation of the IDE model is that it predicts lower $Ω_{m}$ and higher $σ_{8}$ values, which may not be fully consistent with large-scale structure data at the perturbation level.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Alleviating cosmological tensions with a hybrid dark sector

We investigate a cosmological model inspired by hybrid inflation, where two scalar fields representing dark energy (DE) and dark matter (DM) interact through a coupling that is proportional to the DE scalar field $1/ϕ$. The strength of the coupling is governed solely by the initial condition of the scalar field, $ϕ_i$, which parametrises deviations from the standard $Λ$CDM model. In this model, the scalar field tracks the behaviour of DM during matter-domination until it transitions to DE while the DM component decays quicker than standard CDM during matter-domination, and is therefore different from some interacting DM-DE models which behaves like phantom dark energy. Using \textit{Planck} 2018 CMB data, DESI BAO measurements and Pantheon+ supernova observations, we find that the model allows for an increase in $H_0$ that can help reduce the Hubble tension. In addition, we find that higher values of the coupling parameter are correlated with lower values of $ω_m$, and a mild decrease of the weak-lensing parameter $S_8$, potentially relevant to address the $S_8$ tension. Bayesian model comparison, however, reveals inconclusive results for most datasets, unless S$H_0$ES data are included, in which case a moderate evidence in favour of the hybrid model is found.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

A Semiblind Reconstruction of the History of Effective Number of Neutrinos Using CMB Data

We explore the possibility of redshift-dependent deviations in the contribution of relativistic degrees of freedom to the radiation budget of the cosmos, conventionally parameterized by the effective number of neutrinos $N_{\rm eff}$, from the predictions of the standard model. We expand the deviations $ΔN_{\rm eff}(z)$ in terms of top-hat functions and treat their amplitudes as the free parameters of the theory to be measured alongside the standard cosmological parameters by the Planck measurements of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropies and Baryonic Acoustic Oscillations, as well as performing forecasts for futuristic CMB surveys such as PICO and CMB-S4. We reconstruct the history of $ΔN_{\rm eff}$ and find that with the current data the history is consistent with the standard scenario. Inclusion of the new degrees of freedom in the analysis increases $H_0$ to $68.71\pm 0.44$, slightly reducing the Hubble tension. With the smaller forecasted errors on the $ΔN_{\rm eff}(z)$ parametrization modes from future CMB surveys, very accurate bounds are expected within the possible range of dark radiation models.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Updating neutrino mass constraints with Background measurements

Low-redshift probes, such as Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) and Supernovae Ia luminosity distances, have been shown to be crucial for improving the bounds on the total neutrino mass from cosmological observations, due to their ability to break degeneracies among the different parameters. Here, we expand background observations to include $H(z)$ measurements from cosmic chronometers, distance moduli from Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs), and angular diameter distances from galaxy clusters. For the very first time, we find neutrino mass limits below the minimal expectations from neutrino oscillation probes, suggesting non-standard neutrino and/or cosmological scenarios. The tightening of the neutrino mass bound is due to the slightly higher value of the Hubble constant $H_0$ preferred by the former three background probes, and also due to the improved errors on $H_0$ and the matter mass-energy density $Ω_{\rm m}$. All values of $H_0$ are however in agreement at the $1-2σ$ level. Interestingly, it is not only the combination of the three background probes that is responsible for the $\sum m_ν<0.06$~eV limits, but also each of them independently. The tightest bound we find here is $\sum m_ν<0.043$~eV at $2σ$ after combining Cosmic Microwave Background Planck data with DESI BAO, Supernovae Ia, GRBs, cosmic chronometers, and galaxy clusters, showing a clear tension between neutrino oscillation results and cosmological analyses. In general, removing either one of the two background probes still provides a limit $\sum m_ν\lesssim 0.06$~eV, reassuring the enormous potential of these low-redshift observations in constraining the neutrino mass.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Quantifying the $S_8$ tension and evidence for interacting dark energy from redshift-space distortion measurements

In recent years, Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) observations, Weak Lensing surveys, and $fσ_8(z)$ measurements from Redshift-Space Distortions (RSD) have revealed a significant ($\sim$3$-$5$σ$) discrepancy in the inferred value of the matter clustering parameter $S_8$. In this work, we investigate the implications of RSD for a cosmological framework postulating an interaction between Dark Energy (DE) and Dark Matter (DM). We explore scenarios where DM can transfer energy-momentum to DE or vice versa. The energy-momentum flow is characterized by the strength and the sign of the coupling parameter $ξ$. Our baseline analysis combines RSD measurements with the latest data from Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) observed by DESI, Type Ia Supernovae from the PantheonPlus sample, and CMB data from Planck. We demonstrate that RSD measurements provide significant additional information imposing new and strong upper bounds on possible interaction in the dark sector. Models with $ξ> 0$ can effectively alleviate the tension in $S_8$, presenting them as compelling alternatives.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Cosmological constraints on $Λ_{\rm s}$CDM scenario in a type II minimally modified gravity

The idea of a rapid sign-switching cosmological constant (mirror AdS-dS transition) in the late universe at $z\sim1.7$, known as the $Λ_{\rm s}$CDM model, has significantly improved the fit to observational data and provides a promising scenario for alleviating major cosmological tensions, such as the $H_0$ and $S_8$ tensions. However, in the absence of a fully predictive model, implementing this fit required conjecturing that the dynamics of the linear perturbations are governed by general relativity. Recent work embedding the $Λ_{\rm s}$CDM model with the Lagrangian of a type II minimally modified gravity known as VCDM has propelled $Λ_{\rm s}$CDM to a fully predictive model, removing the uncertainty related to the aforementioned assumption; we call this new model $Λ_{\rm s}$VCDM. In this work, we demonstrate that not only does $Λ_{\rm s}$CDM fit the data better than the standard $Λ$CDM model, but the new model, $Λ_{\rm s}$VCDM, performs even better in alleviating cosmological tensions while also providing a better fit to the data, including CMB, BAO, SNe Ia, and cosmic shear measurements. Our findings highlight the $Λ_{\rm s}$CDM framework, particularly the $Λ_{\rm s}$VCDM model, as a compelling alternative to the standard $Λ$CDM model, especially by successfully alleviating the $H_0$ tension. Additionally, these models predict higher values for $σ_8$, indicating enhanced structuring, albeit with lower present-day matter density parameter values and consequently reduced $S_8$ values, alleviating the $S_8$ tension as well. This demonstrates that the data are well fit by a combination of background and linear perturbations, both having dynamics differing from those of $Λ$CDM. This paves the way for further exploration of new ways for embedding the sign-switching cosmological constant into other models.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Non-Linear Matter Power Spectrum Modeling in Interacting Dark Energy Cosmologies

Understanding the behavior of the matter power spectrum on non-linear scales beyond the $Λ$CDM model is crucial for accurately predicting the large-scale structure (LSS) of the Universe in non-standard cosmologies. In this work, we present an analysis of the non-linear matter power spectrum within the framework of interacting dark energy-dark matter cosmologies (IDE). We employ N-body simulations and theoretical models to investigate the impact of IDE on these non-linear scales. Beginning with N-body simulations characterized by a fixed parameter space delineated by prior observational research, we adeptly fit the simulated spectra with a simple parametric function, achieving accuracy within 5\%. Subsequently, we refine a modified halo model tailored to the IDE cosmology, exhibiting exceptional precision in fitting the simulations down to scales of approximately 1 h/Mpc. To assess the model's robustness, we conduct a forecast analysis for the Euclid survey, employing our refined model. We find that the coupling parameter $ξ$ will be constrained to $σ(ξ) = 0.0110$. This marks a significant improvement by an order of magnitude compared to any other current observational tests documented in the literature. These primary findings pave the way for a novel preliminary approach, enabling the utilization of IDE models for observational constraints concerning LSS data on non-linear scales.

astro-ph.CO↗