A new covariant foliation-based construction of scalar-tensor theories up to four derivatives of the scalar field that extends DHOST and U-DHOST without unitary gauge and propagates three degrees of freedom.
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The Effective Theory of Quintessence: the w<-1 Side Unveiled
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abstract
We study generic single-field dark energy models, by a parametrization of the most general theory of their perturbations around a given background, including higher derivative terms. In appropriate limits this approach reproduces standard quintessence, k-essence and ghost condensation. We find no general pathology associated to an equation of state w_Q < -1 or in crossing the phantom divide w_Q = -1. Stability requires that the w_Q < -1 side of dark energy behaves, on cosmological scales, as a k-essence fluid with a virtually zero speed of sound. This implies that one should set the speed of sound to zero when comparing with data models with w_Q < -1 or crossing the phantom divide. We summarize the theoretical and stability constraints on the quintessential plane (1+w_Q) vs. speed of sound squared.
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Non-parametric reconstruction of non-minimally coupled gravity with a smoothness prior on CMB, DESI BAO, supernovae, and DES data yields a 2.8σ hint for coupling and a preference for phantom divide crossing stabilized by the coupling.
Develops a short-timescale injection formalism for post-recombination fluctuations, derives CMB impacts from scalar/vector/tensor perturbations, and constrains sequestered dark sector phase transitions to permille-level fractional energy injections.
Numerical simulations show ghost-normal scalar systems can remain dynamically bounded for long times when initial data is ultraviolet-dominated and low-amplitude, with some nonlinear potentials creating transient metastable states.
Early dark energy resolves CMB-BAO tension and, combined with thawing quintessence, reduces overall cosmological tensions without phantom crossing.
Final Planck CMB data confirms the flat 6-parameter ΛCDM model with Ω_c h² = 0.120 ± 0.001, Ω_b h² = 0.0224 ± 0.0001, n_s = 0.965 ± 0.004, τ = 0.054 ± 0.007, H_0 = 67.4 ± 0.5 km/s/Mpc, and no strong evidence for extensions.
Using CMB, SN, BAO and shear data, the work shows dynamical dark energy in MG models correlates with deviations from GR below z=2 at >95% CL, a link that holds for varying sound speed but vanishes for a cosmological constant.
An extended model with decaying dark matter around equality and w0 dark energy yields H0 ≈ 70 km/s/Mpc from Planck+ACT+DESI data, reducing Hubble tension to ~2.2σ while producing Bayesian evidence comparable to ΛCDM.
Modified gravity theories supply viable mathematical frameworks for inflation, bounces, and dark energy eras that match observational data.
citing papers explorer
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Late-time reconstruction of non-minimally coupled gravity with a smoothness prior
Non-parametric reconstruction of non-minimally coupled gravity with a smoothness prior on CMB, DESI BAO, supernovae, and DES data yields a 2.8σ hint for coupling and a preference for phantom divide crossing stabilized by the coupling.
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Post-Recombination Fluctuations from a Sequestered Dark Sector
Develops a short-timescale injection formalism for post-recombination fluctuations, derives CMB impacts from scalar/vector/tensor perturbations, and constrains sequestered dark sector phase transitions to permille-level fractional energy injections.
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Numerical Investigations of Stable Dynamics in the Presence of Ghosts
Numerical simulations show ghost-normal scalar systems can remain dynamically bounded for long times when initial data is ultraviolet-dominated and low-amplitude, with some nonlinear potentials creating transient metastable states.
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Disentangling cosmic distance tensions with early and late dark energy
Early dark energy resolves CMB-BAO tension and, combined with thawing quintessence, reduces overall cosmological tensions without phantom crossing.
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The sound of dynamical dark energy and modified gravity
Using CMB, SN, BAO and shear data, the work shows dynamical dark energy in MG models correlates with deviations from GR below z=2 at >95% CL, a link that holds for varying sound speed but vanishes for a cosmological constant.
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Early- and Late-Time Modifications to $\Lambda$CDM: Implications for the Hubble Tension
An extended model with decaying dark matter around equality and w0 dark energy yields H0 ≈ 70 km/s/Mpc from Planck+ACT+DESI data, reducing Hubble tension to ~2.2σ while producing Bayesian evidence comparable to ΛCDM.