Constraints on dark energy models from radial baryon acoustic scale measurements

We use the radial baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) measurements of Gaztanaga et al. (2008) to constrain parameters of dark energy models. These constraints are comparable with constraints from other "non-radial" BAO data. The radial BAO data are consistent with the time-independent cosmological constant model but do not rule out time-varying dark energy. When we combine radial BAO and the Kowalski et al. (2008) Union type Ia supernova data we get very tight constraints on dark energy.Comment: 24 pages, 8 figures, 1 table. Minor changes to match the published versio

A Nearly Model-Independent Characterization of Dark Energy Properties as a Function of Redshift

Understanding the acceleration of the universe and its cause is one of the key problems in physics and cosmology today, and is best studied using a variety of mutually complementary approaches. Daly and Djorgovski (2003, 2004) proposed a model independent approach to determine the expansion and acceleration history of the universe and a number of important physical parameters of the dark energy as functions of redshift directly from the data. Here, we apply the method to explicitly determine the first and second derivatives of the coordinate distance with respect to redshift and combine them to solve for the acceleration of the universe and the kinetic and potential energy density of the dark energy as functions of redshift. A data set of 228 supernova and 20 radio galaxy measurements with redshifts from zero to 1.79 is used for this study. The values we obtain are shown to be consistent with the values expected in a standard Lambda Cold Dark Matter model.Comment: 5 pages, 8 figure

Constraining dark energy with gamma-ray bursts

We use the measurement of gamma-ray burst (GRB) distances to constrain dark energy cosmological model parameters. We employ two methods for analyzing GRB data - fitting luminosity relation of GRBs in each cosmology and using distance measures computed from binned GRB data. Current GRB data alone cannot tightly constrain cosmological parameters and allow for a wide range of dark energy models.Comment: 27 pages, 12 figures, two methods of analysing GRB data, updated to match published version

Median Statistics, H_0, and the Accelerating Universe

(Abridged) We develop median statistics that provide powerful alternatives to chi-squared likelihood methods and require fewer assumptions about the data. Applying median statistics to Huchra's compilation of nearly all estimates of the Hubble constant, we find a median value H_0=67 km/s/Mpc. Median statistics assume only that the measurements are independent and free of systematic errors. This estimate is arguably the best summary of current knowledge because it uses all available data and, unlike other estimates, makes no assumption about the distribution of measurement errors. The 95% range of purely statistical errors is +/- 2 km/s/Mpc. The statistical precision of this result leads us to analyze the range of possible systematic errors in the median, which we estimate to be roughly +/- 5 km/s/Mpc (95% limits), dominating over the statistical errors. A Bayesian median statistics treatment of high-redshift Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) apparent magnitude versus redshift data from Riess et al. yields a posterior probability that the cosmological constant Lambda > 0 of 70 or 89%, depending on the prior information used. The posterior probability of an open universe is about 47%. Analysis of the Perlmutter et al. high-redshift SNe Ia data show the best-fit flat-Lambda model favored over the best-fit Lambda = 0 open model by odds of 366:1; corresponding Riess et al. odds are 3:1 (assuming prior odds of 1:1).Median statistics analyses of the SNe Ia data do not rule out a time-variable Lambda model, and may even favor it over a time-independent Lambda and a Lambda = 0 open model.Comment: Significant revisions include discussion of systematic errors in the median of H_0. Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal, v548, February 20, 2001 issue. 47 pages incl. figures and table

Supernova data may be unable to distinguish between quintessence and k-essence

We consider the efficacy of using luminosity distance measurements of deep redshift supernovae to discriminate between two forms of dark energy, quintessence (a scalar field with canonical kinetic terms rolling down a potential) and k-essence (a scalar field whose cosmic evolution is driven entirely by non-linear kinetic terms). The primary phenomenological distinction between the two types of models that can be quantified by supernova searches (at least in principle) is that the equation of state $w\equiv p/\rho$ of quintessence is falling today while that of k-essence is rising. By simulating $10^5$ possible datasets that SNAP could obtain, we show that even if the mass density $\Omega_m$ is known exactly, an ambiguity remains that may not allow a definitive distinction to be made between the two types of theories.Comment: Version to appear in PL

Supernovae Ia Constraints on a Time-Variable Cosmological "Constant"

The energy density of a scalar field $\phi$ with potential $V(\phi) \propto \phi^{-\alpha}$, $\alpha > 0$, behaves like a time-variable cosmological constant that could contribute significantly to the present energy density. Predictions of this spatially-flat model are compared to recent Type Ia supernovae apparent magnitude versus redshift data. A large region of model parameter space is consistent with current observations. (These constraints are based on the exact scalar field model equations of motion, not on the widely used time-independent equation of state fluid approximation equations of motion.) We examine the consequences of also incorporating constraints from recent measurements of the Hubble parameter and the age of the universe in the constant and time-variable cosmological constant models. We also study the effect of using a non-informative prior for the density parameter.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap

A new cosmological tracker solution for Quintessence

In this paper we propose a quintessence model with the potential $V(\Phi )=V_{o}[ \sinh {(\alpha \sqrt{\kappa_{o}}\Delta \Phi})] ^{\beta}$, which asymptotic behavior corresponds to an inverse power-law potential at early times and to an exponential one at late times. We demonstrate that this is a tracker solution and that it could have driven the Universe into its current inflationary stage. The exact solutions and the description for a complete evolution of the Universe are also given. We compare such model with the current cosmological observations.Comment: 13 pages REVTeX, 5 eps color figure

Cosmological Studies with Radio Galaxies and Supernovae

Physical sizes of extended radio galaxies can be employed as a cosmological "standard ruler", using a previously developed method. Eleven new radio galaxies are added to our previous sample of nineteen sources, forming a sample of thirty objects with redshifts between 0 and 1.8. This sample of radio galaxies are used to obtain the best fit cosmological parameters in a quintessence model in a spatially flat universe, a cosmological constant model that allows for non-zero space curvature, and a rolling scalar field model in a spatially flat universe. Results obtained with radio galaxies are compared with those obtained with different supernova samples, and with combined radio galaxy and supernova samples. Results obtained with different samples are consistent, suggesting that neither method is seriously affected by systematic errors. Best fit radio galaxy and supernovae model parameters determined in the different cosmological models are nearly identical, and are used to determine dimensionless coordinate distances to supernovae and radio galaxies, and distance moduli to the radio galaxies. The distance moduli to the radio galaxies can be combined with supernovae samples to increase the number of sources, particularly high-redshift sources, in the samples. The constraints obtained here with the combined radio galaxy plus supernovae data set in the rolling scalar field model are quite strong. The best fit parameter values suggest a value of omega is less than about 0.35, and the model parameter alpha is close to zero; that is, a cosmological constant provides a good description of the data. We also obtain new constraints on the physics of engines that power the large-scale radio emission.Comment: 32 pages. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Quintessence models in Supergravity

Scalar field models of quintessence typically require that the expectation value of the field today is of order the Planck mass, if we want them to explain the observed acceleration of the Universe. This suggests that we should be considering models in the context of supergravity. We discuss a particular class of supergravity models and analyze their behavior under different choices of the Kahler metric.Comment: 6 pages, revised version to appear in PR

Relic Gravity Waves from Braneworld Inflation

We discuss a scenario in which extra dimensional effects allow a scalar field with a steep potential to play the dual role of the inflaton as well as dark energy (quintessence). The post-inflationary evolution of the universe in this scenario is generically characterised by a `kinetic regime' during which the kinetic energy of the scalar field greatly exceeds its potential energy resulting in a `stiff' equation of state for scalar field matter $P_\phi \simeq \rho_\phi$. The kinetic regime precedes the radiation dominated epoch and introduces an important new feature into the spectrum of relic gravity waves created quantum mechanically during inflation. The gravity wave spectrum increases with wavenumber for wavelengths shorter than the comoving horizon scale at the commencement of the radiative regime. This `blue tilt' is a generic feature of models with steep potentials and imposes strong constraints on a class of inflationary braneworld models. Prospects for detection of the gravity wave background by terrestrial and space-borne gravity wave observatories such as LIGO II and LISA are discussed.Comment: Revised in response to referee's suggestions. Main conclusions strengthened. 23 pages latex, 9 figures. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.