ΛCDM Framework Research Articles

The Radial Acceleration Relation in CLASH Galaxy Clusters

Abstract The radial acceleration relation (RAR) in galaxies describes a tight empirical scaling law between the total acceleration observed in galaxies and that expected from their baryonic mass , with a characteristic acceleration scale of m s−2. Here, we examine if such a correlation exists in galaxy clusters using weak-lensing, strong-lensing, and X-ray data sets available for 20 high-mass clusters targeted by the Cluster Lensing And Supernova survey with Hubble (CLASH). By combining our CLASH data with stellar mass estimates for the brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) and accounting for the stellar baryonic component in clusters, we determine, for the first time, an RAR on BCG–cluster scales. The resulting RAR is well described by a tight power-law relation, , with lognormal intrinsic scatter of . The slope is consistent with the low acceleration limit of the RAR in galaxies, , whereas the intercept implies a much higher acceleration scale of m s−2, indicating that there is no universal RAR that holds on all scales from galaxies to clusters. We find that the observed RAR in CLASH clusters is consistent with predictions from a semianalytical model developed in the standard ΛCDM framework. Our results also predict the presence of a baryonic Faber–Jackson relation ( ) on cluster scales.

Testing the warmness of dark matter

ABSTRACT Dark matter (DM) as a pressureless perfect fluid provides a good fit of the standard Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) model to the astrophysical and cosmological data. In this paper, we investigate two extended properties of DM: a possible time dependence of the equation of state of DM via Chevallier–Polarski–Linder parametrization, wdm = wdm0 + wdm1(1 − a), and the constant non-null sound speed $\hat{c}^2_{\rm s,dm}$. We analyse these DM properties on top of the base ΛCDM model by using the data from Planck cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature and polarization anisotropy, baryonic acoustic oscillations (BAOs), and the local value of the Hubble constant from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). We find new and robust constraints on the extended free parameters of DM. The most tight constraints are imposed by CMB+BAO data, where the three parameters wdm0, wdm1, and $\hat{c}^2_{\rm s,dm}$ are, respectively, constrained to be less than 1.43 × 10−3, 1.44 × 10−3, and 1.79 × 10−6 at 95 per cent CL. All the extended parameters of DM show consistency with zero at 95 per cent CL, indicating no evidence beyond the CDM paradigm. We notice that the extended properties of DM significantly affect several parameters of the base ΛCDM model. In particular, in all the analyses performed here, we find significantly larger mean values of H0 and lower mean values of σ8 in comparison to the base ΛCDM model. Thus, the well-known H0 and σ8 tensions might be reconciled in the presence of extended DM parameters within the ΛCDM framework. Also, we estimate the warmness of DM particles as well as its mass scale, and find a lower bound: ∼500 eV from our analyses.

The local and distant Universe: stellar ages and H0

The ages of the oldest stellar objects in our galaxy provide an independent test of the current cosmological model as they give a lower limit to the age of the Universe. Recent accurate parallaxes by the Gaia space mission, accurate measurements of the metallicity of stars, via individual elemental abundances, and advances in the modelling of stellar evolution, provide new, higher-precision age estimates of the oldest stellar populations in the galaxy: globular clusters and very-low-metallicity stars. The constraints on the age of the Universe, tU, so obtained are determined from the local Universe and at late time. It is well known that local and early-Universe determinations of another cosmological parameter closely related to the age of the Universe, the Hubble constant H0, show a ≳ 3 σ tension. In the standard cosmological model, ΛCDM, tU and H0 are related by the matter density parameter Ωm,0. We propose to combine local tU constraints with late-time Ωm,0 estimates in a ΛCDM framework, to obtain a low-redshift H0 determination that does not rely on early Universe physics. A proof-of-principle of this approach with current data gives H0=71±2.8 (H0= 69.3 ± 2.7) km s−1 Mpc−1 from globular clusters (very-low-metallicity stars) with excellent prospects for improved constraints in the near future.

A unifying theory of dark energy and dark matter: Negative masses and matter creation within a modified ΛCDM framework

Dark energy and dark matter constitute 95% of the observable Universe. Yet the physical nature of these two phenomena remains a mystery. Einstein suggested a long-forgotten solution: gravitationally repulsive negative masses, which drive cosmic expansion and cannot coalesce into light-emitting structures. However, contemporary cosmological results are derived upon the reasonable assumption that the Universe only contains positive masses. By reconsidering this assumption, I have constructed a toy model which suggests that both dark phenomena can be unified into a single negative mass fluid. The model is a modified ΛCDM cosmology, and indicates that continuously-created negative masses can resemble the cosmological constant and can flatten the rotation curves of galaxies. The model leads to a cyclic universe with a time-variable Hubble parameter, potentially providing compatibility with the current tension that is emerging in cosmological measurements. In the first three-dimensional N-body simulations of negative mass matter in the scientific literature, this exotic material naturally forms haloes around galaxies that extend to several galactic radii. These haloes are not cuspy. The proposed cosmological model is therefore able to predict the observed distribution of dark matter in galaxies from first principles. The model makes several testable predictions and seems to have the potential to be consistent with observational evidence from distant supernovae, the cosmic microwave background, and galaxy clusters. These findings may imply that negative masses are a real and physical aspect of our Universe, or alternatively may imply the existence of a superseding theory that in some limit can be modelled by effective negative masses. Both cases lead to the surprising conclusion that the compelling puzzle of the dark Universe may have been due to a simple sign error.

Pushing back the limits: detailed properties of dwarf galaxies in a ΛCDM universe

We present the results of a set of high-resolution chemo-dynamical simulations of dwarf galaxies in a ΛCDM cosmology. Out of an original (3.4 Mpc/h)3 cosmological box, a sample of 27 systems are re-simulated from z = 70 to z = 0 using a zoom-in technique. Gas and stellar properties are confronted to the observations in the greatest details: in addition to the galaxy global properties, we investigated the model galaxy velocity dispersion profiles, half-light radii, star formation histories, stellar metallicity distributions, and [Mg/Fe] abundance ratios. The formation and sustainability of the metallicity gradients and kinematically distinct stellar populations are also tackled. We show how the properties of six Local Group dwarf galaxies, NGC 6622, Andromeda II, Sculptor, Sextans, Ursa Minor and Draco are reproduced, and how they pertain to three main galaxy build-up modes. Our results indicate that the interaction with a massive central galaxy could be needed for a handful of Local Group dwarf spheroidal galaxies only, the vast majority of the systems and their variety of star formation histories arising naturally from a ΛCDM framework. We find that models fitting well the local Group dwarf galaxies are embedded in dark haloes of mass between 5 × 108 to a few 109 M⊙, without any missing satellite problem. We confirm the failure of the abundance matching approach at the mass scale of dwarf galaxies. Some of the observed faint however gas-rich galaxies with residual star formation, such as Leo T and Leo P, remain challenging. They point out the need of a better understanding of the UV-background heating.

X-ray surface brightness observations of galaxy clusters, cosmic opacity and the limits on the matter density parameter

In this work, we use two gas mass fraction samples of galaxy clusters obtained from their X-ray surface brightness observations jointly with recent H(z) data in a flat ΛCDM framework to impose limits on cosmic opacity. {It is assumed that the galaxy clusters are in hydrostatic equilibrium and their gas mass fraction measurement is constant with redshift.} We show that the current limits on the matter density parameter obtained from X-ray gas mass fraction test are strongly dependent on the cosmic transparency assumption even for a flat scenario. Our results are consistent with a transparent universe within 1σ c.l. in full agreement with other analyses which used type Ia supernovae, gamma ray burst and H(z) data.

Second-order Cosmological Perturbations Engendered by Point-like Masses

Abstract In the ΛCDM framework, presenting nonrelativistic matter inhomogeneities as discrete massive particles, we develop the second‐order cosmological perturbation theory. Our approach relies on the weak gravitational field limit. The derived equations for the second‐order scalar, vector, and tensor metric corrections are suitable at arbitrary distances, including regions with nonlinear contrasts of the matter density. We thoroughly verify fulfillment of all Einstein equations, as well as self‐consistency of order assignments. In addition, we achieve logical positive results in the Minkowski background limit. Feasible investigations of the cosmological back-reaction manifestations by means of relativistic simulations are also outlined.

Probing dynamics of dark energy with latest observations

We examine the validity of the ΛCDM model and probe the dynamics of dark energy with the latest astronomical observations. Using the Om(z) diagnosis, we find that various kinds of observational data are in tension within the ΛCDM framework. We then allow for dynamics of dark energy and investigate the constraint on dark energy parameters. We find that for two different kinds of parametrisations of the equation of state parameter w, a combination of current data mildly favours an evolving w, although the significance is not sufficient for it to be supported by Bayesian evidence. A forecast of the DESI survey shows that the dynamics of dark energy could be detected at the 7σ confidence level and would be decisively supported by Bayesian evidence, if the best-fit model of w derived from current data is the true model.

Measuring the lensing potential with tomographic galaxy number counts

We investigate how the lensing potential can be measured tomographically with future galaxy surveys using their number counts. Such a measurement is an independent test of the standard ΛCDM framework and can be used to discern modified theories of gravity. We perform a Fisher matrix forecast based on galaxy angular-redshift power spectra, assuming specifications consistent with future photometric Euclid-like surveys and spectroscopic SKA-like surveys. For the Euclid-like survey we derive a fitting formula for the magnification bias. Our analysis suggests that the cross correlation between different redshift bins is very sensitive to the lensing potential such that the survey can measure the amplitude of the lensing potential at the same level of precision as other standard ΛCDM cosmological parameters.

Cluster strong lensing: a new strategy for testing cosmology with simulations

AbstractComparisons between observed and predicted strong lensing properties of galaxy clusters have been used to claim either tension or consistency with ΛCDM cosmology. However, standard approaches to such tests are unable to quantify the preference for one cosmology over another. We advocate a Bayesian approach whereby the parameters defining the scaling relation between Einstein radii and cluster mass are treated as the observables. We demonstrate a method of estimating the likelihood for observing these parameters under the ΛCDM framework, using the X-ray selected z > 0.5 MACS clusters as a case in point and employing both N-body and hydrodynamic simulations of clusters. We account for cluster lens triaxiality within the modelling of the likelihood function. Cluster selection criteria is found to play as important a role as the uncertainty related to the description of star formation and feedback.

Semi-empirical catalog of early-type galaxy-halo systems: dark matter density profiles, halo contraction and dark matter annihilation strength

With Sloan Digital Sky Survey galaxy data and halo data from up-to-date N-body simulations within the ΛCDM framework we construct a semi-empirical catalog (SEC) of early-type galaxy-halo systems by making a self-consistent bivariate statistical match of stellar mass (M⋆) and velocity dispersion (σ) with halo virial mass (Mvir) as demonstrated here for the first time. We then assign stellar mass profile and velocity dispersion profile parameters to each system in the SEC using their observed correlations with M⋆ and σ. Simultaneously, we solve for dark matter density profile of each halo using the spherical Jeans equation. The resulting dark matter density profiles deviate in general from the dissipationless profile of Navarro-Frenk-White or Einasto and their mean inner density slope and concentration vary systematically with Mvir. Statistical tests of the distribution of profiles at fixed Mvir rule out the null hypothesis that it follows the distribution predicted by dissipationless N-body simulations for Mvir≲1013.5 – 14.5 M⊙. These dark matter profiles imply that dark matter density is, on average, enhanced significantly in the inner region of halos with Mvir≲1013.5 – 14.5 M⊙ supporting halo contraction. The main characteristics of halo contraction are: (1) the mean dark matter density within the effective radius has increased by a factor varying systematically up to ≈ 3–4 at Mvir = 1012 M⊙, and (2) the inner density slope has a mean of ⟨α⟩ ≈ 1.3 with ρdm(r)∝r−α and a halo-to-halo rms scatter of rms(α) ∼ 0.4–0.5 for 1012 M⊙≲Mvir≲1013 – 14 M⊙ steeper than the NFW profile (α = 1). Based on our results we predict that halos of nearby elliptical and lenticular galaxies can, in principle, be promising targets for γ-ray emission from dark matter annihilation.

Measuring the neutrino mass from future wide galaxy cluster catalogues

We present forecast errors on a wide range of cosmological parameters obtained from a photometric cluster catalogue of a future wide-field Euclid-like survey. We focus in particular on the total neutrino mass as constrained by a combination of the galaxy cluster number counts and correlation function. For the latter we consider only the shape information and the Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO), while marginalising over the spectral amplitude and the redshift space distortions. In addition to the cosmological parameters of the standard ΛCDM+ν model we also consider a non-vanishing curvature, and two parameters describing a redshift evolution for the dark energy equation of state. For completeness, we also marginalise over a set of ``nuisance'' parameters, representing the uncertainties on the cluster mass determination. We find that combining cluster counts with power spectrum information greatly improves the constraining power of each probe taken individually, with errors on cosmological parameters being reduced by up to an order of magnitude. In particular, the best improvements are for the parameters definingthe dynamical evolution of dark energy, where cluster counts break degeneracies. Moreover, the resulting error on neutrino mass is at the level of σ(Mν) ∼ 0.9 eV, comparable with that derived from present Lyα forest measurements and Cosmic Microwave background (CMB) data in the framework of a non-flat Universe. Further adopting Planck priors and reducing the number of free parameters to a ΛCDM+ν cosmology allows to place constraints on the total neutrino mass of σ(Mν) ∼ 0.08 eV, close to the lower bound enforced by neutrino oscillation experiments. Finally, in the optimistic case where uncertainties in the calibration of the mass-observable relation were so small to be neglected, the combination of Planck priors with cluster counts and power spectrum would constrain the total neutrino mass down to σ(Mν) ∼ 0.034 eV, i.e. the minimum neutrino mass predicted by oscillation experiments would be detected in a ΛCDM framework. We thus show that galaxy clusters from future wide galaxy surveys will be an excellent tool for studying cosmology and fundamental physics.

An expanding Universe with constant pressure and no cosmological constant

Thanks to its fitting triumph, the ΛCDM paradigm is assumed to be the most powerful model, for describing the Universe dynamics, over much the myriad of cosmological models. Unfortunately, the quest of a self-consistent model remains not well explained, because it is not clear how to solve the problems of fine-tuning and coincidence, afflicting the ΛCDM framework; as a matter of fact, these theoretical drawbacks do not allow to consider the ΛCDM model, as the final picture of the modern cosmological scenario. Here, we show that the simplest model, which provides a constant equation of state for the pressure, leads to a generalization of ΛCDM, reducing to it in a particular case. Moreover, we highlight the physical mechanisms of this model, describing the thermodynamical reasons why a constant pressure should be negative in an expanding Universe. In addition, we fit the free parameters of our model by minimizing the chi square through the age differential method, involving a direct measurement of H.

Constraints on the detectability of cosmic topology from observational uncertainties

Recent observational results suggest that our universe is nearly flat and well modelled within a ΛCDM framework. The observed values of Ωm and ΩΛ inevitably involve uncertainties. Motivated by this, we conduct a systematic study of the necessary and sufficient conditions for undetectability and detectability (in principle) of cosmic topology (using pattern repetition) in the presence of such uncertainties. We do this by developing two complementary methods to determine detectability for nearly flat universes. Using the first method we derive analytical conditions for undetectability for infinite redshift, the accuracy of which is then confirmed by the second method. Estimates based on WMAP data together with other measurements of the density parameters are used to illustrate both methods, which are shown to provide very similar results for high redshifts.