arXiv subjects

N. Chandrachani Devi

Publications and source records attributed to N. Chandrachani Devi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Examining the Linear and Quadratic Dark Energy Parameterizations with DESI DR2 via AIC and BIC Selection

We examine whether or not the current observational preference for a dynamical dark energy(DE), as reported by DESI, is an artifact of the chosen functional form of dark energy equation of state (EoS) parameter $w(z)$ by considering a higher-order quadratic extension in EoS. We explore three distinct parameterizations of the DE models: the two-parameter (linear) Chevallier-Polarski-Linder (CPL) and Wang models, alongside a three-parameter parabolic (quadratic) formulation. Using a joint dataset of CMB measurements from Planck and ACT DR6, baryon acoustic oscillations of DESI DR2, and Type Ia supernovae from Pantheon+ and DES-SN5YR, we constrain the model parameters and observe a maximum frequentist preference of up to $\sim 4\sigma$ for these dynamical models. Specifically, the joint CMB + DESI + DES-SN5YR combination yields a substantial improvement in fit over $\Lambda\text{CDM}$, with $\Delta\chi^2_{\text{min}}$ values of $-20.5$, $-19.4$, and $-21.7$ for CPL, Wang, and Parabolic models, respectively. In addition, the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) provides weak to no evidence for $\Lambda$CDM, consistently favoring the dynamical DE models instead. On the other hand, the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) imposes a heavy penalty on all the three models, reflecting its high sensitivity to dataset size and model complexity. We find at best a mild support for CPL and Wang models but the Parabolic model is strongly disfavored ($\Delta \text{BIC} \sim +6.4$ to $+15.6$). Furthermore, due to its expanded parameter space, the Parabolic model exhibits a significant reduction in the Figure of Merit (FoM) compared to the two-parameter counterparts, demonstrating that the current cosmological datasets do not yet justify an introduction of the higher-order DE models. So, as a result, the two-parameter descriptions of $w(z)$ remain the optimal choice for testing the dynamical DE signatures.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2021

Testing the theory of gravity with DESI: estimators, predictions and simulation requirements

Shortly after its discovery, General Relativity (GR) was applied to predict the behavior of our Universe on the largest scales, and later became the foundation of modern cosmology. Its validity has been verified on a range of scales and environments from the Solar system to merging black holes. However, experimental confirmations of GR on cosmological scales have so far lacked the accuracy one would hope for -- its applications on those scales being largely based on extrapolation and its validity sometimes questioned in the shadow of the unexpected cosmic acceleration. Future astronomical instruments surveying the distribution and evolution of galaxies over substantial portions of the observable Universe, such as the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), will be able to measure the fingerprints of gravity and their statistical power will allow strong constraints on alternatives to GR. In this paper, based on a set of $N$-body simulations and mock galaxy catalogs, we study the predictions of a number of traditional and novel estimators beyond linear redshift distortions in two well-studied modified gravity models, chameleon $f(R)$ gravity and a braneworld model, and the potential of testing these deviations from GR using DESI. These estimators employ a wide array of statistical properties of the galaxy and the underlying dark matter field, including two-point and higher-order statistics, environmental dependence, redshift space distortions and weak lensing. We find that they hold promising power for testing GR to unprecedented precision. The major future challenge is to make realistic, simulation-based mock galaxy catalogs for both GR and alternative models to fully exploit the statistic power of the DESI survey and to better understand the impact of key systematic effects. Using these, we identify future simulation and analysis needs for gravity tests using DESI.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2019

Non-linear Structure Formation for Dark Energy Models with a Steep Equation of State

We study the nonlinear regime of large scale structure formation considering a dynamical dark energy (DE) component determined by a Steep Equation of State parametrization (SEoS) $w(z)=w_0+w_i\frac{(z/z_T)^q}{1+(z/z_T)^q}$. In order to perform the model exploration at low computational cost, we modified the public code L-PICOLA. We incorporate the DE model by means of the first and second-order matter perturbations in the Lagrangian frame and the expansion parameter. We analyze deviations of SEoS models with respect to $Λ$CDM in the non-linear matter power spectrum ($P_k$), the halo mass function (HMF), and the two-point correlation function (2PCF). On quantifying the nature of steep (SEoS-I) and smooth transitions in DE field (CPL-lim), no signature of steep transition is observed, rather found the overall impact of DE behaviors in $P_k$ at level of $\sim 2-3\%$ and $\sim 3-4\%$ differences w.r.t $Λ$CDM at $z=0$ respectively. HMF shows the possibility to distinguish between the models at the high mass ends. The best-fitted model assuming only background and linear perturbations dubbed as SEoS-II largely deviates from $Λ$CDM and current observations on studying the nonlinear growth. This large deviation in SEoS-II also quantified the combined effect of the dynamical DE and the larger amount of matter contained, $Ω_{m0}$ and $H_{0}$ accordingly. 2PCF results are relatively robust with $\sim 1-2 \%$ deviation for SEoS-I and CPL-lim and a significant deviation for SEoS-II throughout $r$ from $Λ$CDM. Finally, we conclude that the search for viable DE models (like the SEoS) must include non-linear growth constraints.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2019

The Galaxy Halo Connection in Modified Gravity Cosmologies: Environment Dependence of Galaxy Luminosity function

We investigate the dependence of the galaxy-halo connection and galaxy density field in modified gravity models using the $N-$body simulations for $f(R)$ and nDGP models at $z=0$. Because of the screening mechanisms employed by these models, chameleon and Vainshtein, halos are clustered differently in the non-linear regime of structure formation. We quantify their deviations in the galaxy density field from the standard $Λ$CDM model under different environments. We populate galaxies in halos via the (Sub)Halo Abundance Matching. Our main results are: 1) The galaxy-halo connection {\it strongly} depends on the gravity model; a maximum variation of $\sim40\%$ is observed between Halo Occupational Distribution (HOD) parameters; 2) $f(R)$ gravity models predict an excess of galaxies in low density environments of $\sim10\%$ but predict a deficit of $\sim10\%$ at high density environments for $|f_{R0}| = 10^{-4}$ and $10^{-6}$ while $|f_{R0}| = 10^{-5}$ predicts more high density structures; nDGP models are consistent with $Λ$CDM; 3) Different gravity models predict different dependences of the galaxy luminosity function (GLF) with the environment, especially in void-like regions we find differences around $\sim10\%$ for the $f(R)$ models while nDPG models remain closer to $Λ$CDM for low-luminosity galaxies but there is a deficit of $\sim11\%$ for high-luminosity galaxies in all environments. We conclude that the dependence of the GLF with environment might provide a test to distinguish between gravity models and their screening mechanisms from the $Λ$CDM. We provide HOD parameters for the gravity models analyzed in this paper.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2019

J-PAS: forecasts on interacting dark energy from baryon acoustic oscillations and redshift-space distortions

We estimate the constraining power of J-PAS for parameters of an interacting dark energy cosmology. The survey is expected to map several millions of luminous red galaxies, emission line galaxies and quasars in an area of thousands of square degrees in the northern sky with precise photometric redshift measurements. Forecasts for the DESI and Euclid surveys are also evaluated and compared to J-PAS. With the Fisher matrix approach, we find that J-PAS can place constraints on the interaction parameter comparable to those from DESI, with an absolute uncertainty of about $0.02$, when the interaction term is proportional to the dark matter energy density, and almost as good, of about $0.01$, when the interaction is proportional to the dark energy density. For the equation of state of dark energy, the constraints from J-PAS are slightly better in the two cases (uncertainties $0.04$ - $0.05$ against $0.05$ - $0.07$ around the fiducial value $-1$). Both surveys stay behind Euclid but follow it closely, imposing comparable constraints in all specific cases considered.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2018

The clustering of the SDSS-IV extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey DR14 quasar sample: anisotropic clustering analysis in configuration-space

We explore the cosmological implications of anisotropic clustering measurements of the quasar sample from Data Release 14 of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) in configuration space. The $\sim 147,000$ quasar sample observed by eBOSS offers a direct tracer of the density field and bridges the gap of previous BAO measurements between redshift $0.8<z<2.2$. By analysing the two-point correlation function characterized by clustering wedges $ξ_{\rm w_i}(s)$ and multipoles $ξ_{\ell}(s)$, we measure the angular diameter distance, Hubble parameter and cosmic structure growth rate. We define a systematic error budget for our measurements based on the analysis of $N$-body simulations and mock catalogues. Based on the DR14 large scale structure quasar sample at the effective redshift $z_{\rm eff}=1.52$, we find the growth rate of cosmic structure $fσ_8(z_{\rm eff})=0.396\pm 0.079$, and the geometric parameters $D_{\rm V}(z)/r_{\rm d}=26.47\pm 1.23$, and $F_{\rm AP}(z)=2.53\pm 0.22$, where the uncertainties include both statistical and systematic errors. These values are in excellent agreement with the best-fitting standard ${\rm ΛCDM}$ model to the latest cosmic microwave background data from Planck.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2017

Bayesian comparison of nonstandard cosmologies using type Ia supernovae and BAO data

We use the most recent type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) observations to perform a statistical comparison between the standard $Λ$CDM model and its extensions [$w$CDM and $w(z)$CDM] and some alternative cosmologies: namely, the Dvali--Gabadadze--Porrati (DGP) model, a power-law $f(R)$ scenario in the metric formalism and an example of vacuum decay [$Λ(t)$CDM] cosmology in which the dilution of pressureless matter is attenuated with respect to the usual $a^{-3}$ scaling due to the interaction of the dark matter and dark energy fields. We perform a Bayesian model selection analysis using the \textsc{MultiNest} algorithm. To obtain the posterior distribution for the parameters of each model, we use the joint light-curve analysis (JLA) SNe Ia compilation containing 740 events in the interval $0.01 < z < 1.3$ along with current measurements of baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO). The JLA data are analyzed with the SALT2 light-curve fitter and the model selection is then performed by computing the Bayesian evidence of each model and the Bayes factor of the $Λ$CDM cosmology related to the other models. The results indicate that the JLA data alone are unable to distinguish the standard $Λ$CDM model from some of its alternatives but its combination with current measurements of baryon acoustic oscillations shows up an ability to distinguish them. In particular, the DGP model is practically not supported by both the BAO and the joint JLA + BAO data sets compared to the standard scenario. Finally, we provide a rank order for the models considered.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2017

Testing averaged cosmology with type Ia supernovae and BAO data

An important problem in precision cosmology is the determination of the effects of averaging and backreaction on observational predictions, particularly in view of the wealth of new observational data and improved statistical techniques. In this paper, we discuss the observational viability of a class of averaged cosmologies which consist of a simple parametrized phenomenological two-scale backreaction model with decoupled spatial curvature parameters. We perform a Bayesian model selection analysis and find that this class of averaged phenomenological cosmological models is favored with respect to the standard $Λ$CDM cosmological scenario when a joint analysis of current SNe Ia and BAO data is performed. In particular, the analysis provides observational evidence for non-trivial spatial curvature.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2016

An Accurate Cluster Selection Function for the J-PAS Narrow-Band wide-field survey

The impending Javalambre Physics of the accelerating universe Astrophysical Survey (J-PAS) will be the first wide-field survey of $\gtrsim$ 8500 deg$^2$ to reach the `stage IV' category. Because of the redshift resolution afforded by 54 narrow-band filters, J-PAS is particularly suitable for cluster detection in the range z$<$1. The photometric redshift dispersion is estimated to be only $\sim 0.003$ with few outliers $\lesssim$ 4\% for galaxies brighter than $i\sim23$ AB, because of the sensitivity of narrow band imaging to absorption and emission lines. Here we evaluate the cluster selection function for J-PAS using N-body+semi-analytical realistic mock catalogues. We optimally detect clusters from this simulation with the Bayesian Cluster Finder, and we assess the completeness and purity of cluster detection against the mock data. The minimum halo mass threshold we find for detections of galaxy clusters and groups with both $>$80\% completeness and purity is $M_h \sim 5 \times 10^{13}M_{\odot}$ up to $z\sim 0.7$. We also model the optical observable, $M^*_{\rm CL}$-halo mass relation, finding a non-evolution with redshift and main scatter of $σ_{M^*_{\rm CL} | M_{\rm h}}\sim 0.14 \,dex$ down to a factor two lower in mass than other planned broad-band stage IV surveys, at least. For the $M_{\rm h} \sim 1 \times 10^{14}M_{\odot}$ Planck mass limit, J-PAS will arrive up to $z\sim 0.85$ with a $σ_{M^*_{\rm CL} | M_{\rm h}}\sim 0.12 \, dex$. Therefore J-PAS will provide the largest sample of clusters and groups up to $z\sim 0.8$ with a mass calibration accuracy comparable to X-ray data.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2015

Geodesic Motion in Schwarzschild Spacetime Surrounded by Quintessence

We study the time-like geodesic congruences, in the space-time geometry of a Schwarzschild black hole surrounded by quintessence. The nature of effective potential along with the structure of the possible orbits for test particles in view of the different values of quintessence parameter are analysed in detail. %wherever possible it is done analytically otherwise numerically. An increase in quintessence parameter is seen to set the particles from farther distance into motion around black hole. The effect of quintessence parameter is investigated analytically wherever possible otherwise we perform the numerical analysis to probe the structure of possible orbits. It is observed that there exist a number of different possible orbits for a test particle in case of non-radial geodesics, such as circular (stable as well as unstable) bound orbits, radially plunge and fly-by orbits, whereas no bound orbits exist in case of radial geodesics. Using the geodesic deviation equations, we obtain the corresponding deviation vector and find that the quintessence assists the divergence of neighbouring geodesics in both the radial and transverse directions.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

Number Counts and Dynamical Vacuum Cosmologies

We study non-linear structure formation in an interacting model of the dark sector of the Universe in which the dark energy density decays linearly with the Hubble parameter, $ρ_Λ \propto H$, leading to a constant-rate creation of cold dark matter. We derive all relevant expressions to calculate the mass function and the cluster number density using the Sheth-Torman formalism and show that the effect of the interaction process is to increase the number of bound structures of large masses ($M \gtrsim 10^{14} M_{\odot}h^{-1}$) when compared to the standard $Λ$CDM model. Since these models are not reducible to each other, this number counts signature can in principle be tested in future surveys.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

Constraining thawing and freezing models with cluster number counts

Measurements of the cluster abundance as a function of mass and redshift provide an important cosmological test that probe not only the expansion rate but also the growth of perturbations. In this paper we adopt a scalar field scenario which admits both thawing and freezing solutions from an appropriate choice of the model parameters and derived all relevant expressions to calculate the mass function and the cluster number density. We discuss the ability of cluster observations to distinguish between these scalar field behaviors and the standard $Λ$CDM scenario by considering the eROSITA and SPT cluster surveys.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

J-PAS: The Javalambre-Physics of the Accelerated Universe Astrophysical Survey

The Javalambre-Physics of the Accelerated Universe Astrophysical Survey (J-PAS) is a narrow band, very wide field Cosmological Survey to be carried out from the Javalambre Observatory in Spain with a purpose-built, dedicated 2.5m telescope and a 4.7 sq.deg. camera with 1.2Gpix. Starting in late 2015, J-PAS will observe 8500sq.deg. of Northern Sky and measure $0.003(1+z)$ photo-z for $9\times10^7$ LRG and ELG galaxies plus several million QSOs, sampling an effective volume of $\sim 14$ Gpc$^3$ up to $z=1.3$ and becoming the first radial BAO experiment to reach Stage IV. J-PAS will detect $7\times 10^5$ galaxy clusters and groups, setting constrains on Dark Energy which rival those obtained from its BAO measurements. Thanks to the superb characteristics of the site (seeing ~0.7 arcsec), J-PAS is expected to obtain a deep, sub-arcsec image of the Northern sky, which combined with its unique photo-z precision will produce one of the most powerful cosmological lensing surveys before the arrival of Euclid. J-PAS unprecedented spectral time domain information will enable a self-contained SN survey that, without the need for external spectroscopic follow-up, will detect, classify and measure $σ_z\sim 0.5\%$ redshifts for $\sim 4000$ SNeIa and $\sim 900$ core-collapse SNe. The key to the J-PAS potential is its innovative approach: a contiguous system of 54 filters with $145Å$ width, placed $100Å$ apart over a multi-degree FoV is a powerful "redshift machine", with the survey speed of a 4000 multiplexing low resolution spectrograph, but many times cheaper and much faster to build. The J-PAS camera is equivalent to a 4.7 sq.deg. "IFU" and it will produce a time-resolved, 3D image of the Northern Sky with a very wide range of Astrophysical applications in Galaxy Evolution, the nearby Universe and the study of resolved stellar populations.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

Constraining Thawing Dark Energy using Galaxy Cluster Number Counts

We study the formation of galaxy clusters in the presence of thawing class of scalar field dark energy. We consider cases where the scalar field has canonical as well non canonical kinetic term in its action. We also consider various form for the potential of the scalar field e.g, linear, quadratic, inverse quadratic, exponential as well as Pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone Boson (PNGB) type. Moreover we investigate situation where dark energy is homogeneous as well as the situation where dark energy takes part in virialization process. We use the Sheth-Tormen formalism while calculating the number density of galaxy clusters. Our results show that cluster number density for different dark energy models have significant deviation from the corresponding value for the $Λ$CDM case. The deviation is more for higher redshifts. Moreover the tachyon type scalar field with linear potential has the highest deviation from the $Λ$CDM case. For the total cluster number counts, different dark energy models can have substantial deviation from $Λ$CDM and this deviation is most significant around $z \sim 0.5$ for all the models we considered. We also constrain thawing class of models using the presently available data for number counts of massive X-ray clusters. The results show that current cluster data is not suitable enough for constraining potentials for the thawing scalar fields as well as for other cosmological parameters like $n_{s}$. But one can get significant constraint for the parameter $σ_{8}$ and a lower bound on $Ω_{m0}$.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

Solar System Constraints on Scalar Tensor Theories with Non-Standard Action

We compute the Post-Newtonian parameter (PPN),$γ$, for scalar-tensor gravity theory when the action functional for the scalar field is a non-standard one, namely the Dirac-Born-Infeld (DBI) type action, used in the literature for a tachyon field. We investigate two different cases (Linear and conformal couplings) when the scalar field is non-minimally coupled to gravity via the scalar curvature. We find that the PPN parameter $γ$, which measures the amount of space curvature per unit rest mass, becomes a function of the effective mass of the scalar field. Using this PPN parameter, we calculate the time delay $Δτ$ for the signal to travel the round trip distance bertween a ground based antenna and a reflector placed in a spacecraft which is produced due to the grvitational field of Sun. We use this $Δτ$ to compare our result with that obtained by the Cassini mission and derive the constraints on the model parameters.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

WMAP Constraints On K-Inflation

We study the K-Inflation models where the inflaton field has non-canonical kinetic term. In particular, we consider the Dirac-Born-Infeld (DBI) form for the kinetic energy of the inflaton field. We consider quadratic and quartic potentials as well as the potential for the natural inflation. We use a modified version of the MODECODE (proposed by Mortonson et al.) to calculate the power spectrum of the primordial perturbations generated by the inflaton field and subsequently use the WMAP7 results to constrain the models. Interestingly with DBI type kinetic term, lesser gravity waves are produced as one approaches more towards scale invariance. This is true for all the potentials considered. Unlike the canonical case, this feature, in particular, helps the quartic ($λϕ^4$) potential with DBI type kinetic term to be consistent with WMAP data.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

Evolution of Spherical Overdensity in Thawing Dark energy Models

We study the general evolution of spherical over-densities for thawing class of dark energy models. We model dark energy with scalar fields having canonical as well as non-canonical kinetic energy. For non-canonical case, we consider models where the kinetic energy is of the Born-Infeld Form. We study various potentials like linear, inverse-square, exponential as well as PNGB-type. We also consider the case when dark energy is homogeneous as well as the case when it is inhomogeneous and virializes together with matter. Our study shows that models with linear potential in particular with Born-Infeld type kinetic term can have significant deviation from the $Λ$CDM model in terms of density contrast at the time of virialization. Although our approach is a simplified one to study the nonlinear evolution of matter overdensities inside the cluster and is not applicable to actual physical situation, it gives some interesting insights into the nonlinear clustering of matter in the presence of thawing class of dark energy models.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

Cosmology With Non-Minimally Coupled K-Field

We consider non-minimally coupled (with gravity) scalar field with non-canonical kinetic energy. The form of the kinetic term is of Dirac-Born-Infeld (DBI) form.We study the early evolution of the universe when it is sourced only by the k-field, as well as late time evolution when both the matter and k-field are present. For the k-field, we have considered constant potential as well as potential inspired from Boundary String Field Theory (B-SFT). We show that it is possible to have inflationary solution in early time as well as late time accelerating phase. The solutions also exhibit attractor property in a sense that it does not depend on the initial conditions for a certain values of the parameters.

astro-ph↗