Testing spatial curvature and anisotropic expansion on top of the $Λ$CDM model [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2112.07807


We explore the possible advantages of extending the standard $\Lambda$CDM model by more realistic backgrounds compared to its spatially flat Robertson-Walker spacetime assumption, while preserving the underpinning physics; in particular, by simultaneously allowing non-zero spatial curvature and anisotropic expansion on top of $\Lambda$CDM, viz., the An-$o\Lambda$CDM model. This is to test whether the latest observational data still support spatial flatness and/or isotropic expansion in this case, and, if not, to explore the roles of spatial curvature and expansion anisotropy (due to its stiff fluid-like behavior) in addressing some of the current cosmological tensions associated with $\Lambda$CDM. We first present the theoretical background and explicit mathematical construction of An-$o\Lambda$CDM. Then we constrain the parameters of this model and its particular cases, namely, An-$\Lambda$CDM, $o\Lambda$CDM, and $\Lambda$CDM, by using the data sets from different observational probes, viz., Planck CMB(+Lens), BAO, SnIa Pantheon, and CC data, and discuss the results in detail. Ultimately, we conclude that (i) the observational data confirm the spatial flatness and isotropic expansion assumptions of $\Lambda$CDM, though a very small amount of expansion anisotropy cannot be excluded, e.g., $\Omega_{\sigma0}\lesssim10^{-18}$ (95% C.L.) for An-$\Lambda$CDM from CMB+Lens data, (ii) the introduction of spatial curvature or anisotropic expansion, or both, on top $\Lambda$CDM does not offer a possible relaxation to the $H_0$ tension, and (iii) the introduction of anisotropic expansion neither affects the closed space prediction from the CMB(+Lens) data nor does it improve the drastically reduced value of $H_0$ led by the closed space.

Read this paper on arXiv…

O. Akarsu, E. Valentino, S. Kumar, et. al.
Thu, 16 Dec 21
26/83

Comments: 18 pages, 6 figures, 5 tables