No Arabic abstract
The late-time modifications of the standard $Lambda$ Cold Dark Matter ($Lambda$CDM) cosmological model can be parameterized by three time-dependent functions describing the expansion history of the Universe and gravitational effects on light and matter in the Large Scale Structure. In this Letter, we present the first joint reconstruction of these three functions performed in a non-parametric way from a combination of recent cosmological observations. The reconstruction is performed with a theory-informed prior, built on the general Horndeski class of scalar-tensor theories. We find that current data can constrain 15 combined modes of these three functions with respect to the prior. Our methodology enables us to identify the phenomenological features that alternative theories would need to have in order to ease some of the tensions between datasets within $Lambda$CDM, and deduce important constraints on broad classes of modified gravity models.
Cosmological tensions can arise within $Lambda$CDM scenario amongst different observational windows, which may indicate new physics beyond the standard paradigm if confirmed by measurements. In this article, we report how to alleviate both the $H_0$ and $sigma_8$ tensions simultaneously within torsional gravity from the perspective of effective field theory (EFT). Following these observations, we construct concrete models of Lagrangians of torsional gravity. Specifically, we consider the parametrization $f(T)=-T-2Lambda/M_P^2+alpha T^beta$, where two out of the three parameters are independent. This model can efficiently fit observations solving the two tensions. To our knowledge, this is the first time where a modified gravity theory can alleviate both $H_0$ and $sigma_8$ tensions simultaneously, hence, offering an additional argument in favor of gravitational modification.
We analyze Brans-Dicke gravity with a cosmological constant, $Lambda$, and cold dark matter (BD-$Lambda$CDM for short) in the light of the latest cosmological observations on distant supernovae, Hubble rate measurements at different redshifts, baryonic acoustic oscillations, large scale structure formation data, gravitational weak-lensing and the cosmic microwave background under full Planck 2015 CMB likelihood. Our analysis includes both the background and perturbations equations. We find that BD-$Lambda$CDM is observationally favored as compared to the concordance $Lambda$CDM model, which is traditionally defined within General Relativity (GR). In particular, some well-known persisting tensions of the $Lambda$CDM with the data, such as the excess in the mass fluctuation amplitude $sigma_8$ and specially the acute $H_0$-tension with the local measurements, essentially disappear in this context. Furthermore, viewed from the GR standpoint, BD-$Lambda$CDM cosmology mimics quintessence at $gtrsim3sigma$ c.l. near our time.
The Phenomenologically Emergent Dark Energy model, a dark energy model with the same number of free parameters as the flat $Lambda$CDM, has been proposed as a working example of a minimal model which can avoid the current cosmological tensions. A straightforward question is whether or not the inclusion of massive neutrinos and extra relativistic species may spoil such an appealing phenomenological alternative. We present the bounds on $M_{ u}$ and $N_{rm eff}$ and comment on the long standing $H_0$ and $sigma_8$ tensions within this cosmological framework with a wealth of cosmological observations. Interestingly, we find, at $95%$ confidence level, and with the most complete set of cosmological observations, $M_{ u}sim 0.21^{+0.15}_{-0.14}$ eV and $N_{rm eff}= 3.03pm 0.32$ i.e. an indication for a non-zero neutrino mass with a significance above $2sigma$. The well known Hubble constant tension is considerably easened, with a significance always below the $2sigma$ level.
Modifications of general relativity provide an alternative explanation to dark energy for the observed acceleration of the universe. We review recent developments in modified gravity theories, focusing on higher dimensional approaches and chameleon/f(R) theories. We classify these models in terms of the screening mechanisms that enable such theories to approach general relativity on small scales (and thus satisfy solar system constraints). We describe general features of the modified Friedman equation in such theories. The second half of this review describes experimental tests of gravity in light of the new theoretical approaches. We summarize the high precision tests of gravity on laboratory and solar system scales. We describe in some detail tests on astrophysical scales ranging from ~kpc (galaxy scales) to ~Gpc (large-scale structure). These tests rely on the growth and inter-relationship of perturbations in the metric potentials, density and velocity fields which can be measured using gravitational lensing, galaxy cluster abundances, galaxy clustering and the Integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect. A robust way to interpret observations is by constraining effective parameters, such as the ratio of the two metric potentials. Currently tests of gravity on astrophysical scales are in the early stages --- we summarize these tests and discuss the interesting prospects for new tests in the coming decade.
We investigate the cosmological perturbations in f(T) gravity. Examining the pure gravitational perturbations in the scalar sector using a diagonal vierbien, we extract the corresponding dispersion relation, which provides a constraint on the f(T) ansatzes that lead to a theory free of instabilities. Additionally, upon inclusion of the matter perturbations, we derive the fully perturbed equations of motion, and we study the growth of matter overdensities. We show that f(T) gravity with f(T) constant coincides with General Relativity, both at the background as well as at the first-order perturbation level. Applying our formalism to the power-law model we find that on large subhorizon scales (O(100 Mpc) or larger), the evolution of matter overdensity will differ from LCDM cosmology. Finally, examining the linear perturbations of the vector and tensor sectors, we find that (for the standard choice of vierbein) f(T) gravity is free of massive gravitons.