Does w ≠ −1 point towards a dynamical Dark Energy equation of state?

A. M. M. Trindade, P. P. Avelino, P. T. P. Viana

Abstract.
Current constraints on the dark energy equation of state parameter, w, are expected to be improved by more than one order of magnitude in the next decade. If |w-1| ≳ 0.01 around the present time, but the dark energy dynamics is sufficiently slow, it is possible that future constraints will rule out a cosmological constant while being consistent with a time-independent equation of state parameter. Here, we show that although models with such behaviour can be constructed, they do require significant fine-tuning. Therefore, if the observed acceleration of the Universe is induced by a dark energy component, then finding w ≠ -1 would, on its own, constitute very strong evidence for a dynamical dark energy equation of state.

IV Workshop on Modern Trends in Field Theory
Salamanca, Spain
September 2011

Type: Poster