No evidence for extensions to the standard cosmological model

dc.contributor.authorHeavens, Alanen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorFantaye, Yabebalen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorSellentin, Elenaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorEggers, Hansen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorHosenie, Zafiirahen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorKroon, Steveen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorMootoovaloo, Arrykrishnaen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2018-11-07T13:33:36Z
dc.date.available2018-11-07T13:33:36Z
dc.date.issued2017
dc.descriptionCITATION: Heavens, A., et al. 2017. No evidence for extensions to the standard cosmological model. Physical Review Letters, 119(10):1-5, doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.119.101301.en_ZA
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at https://journals.aps.org/prlen_ZA
dc.description.abstractWe compute the Bayesian evidence for models considered in the main analysis of Planck cosmic microwave background data. By utilizing carefully defined nearest-neighbor distances in parameter space, we reuse the Monte Carlo Markov chains already produced for parameter inference to compute Bayes factors B for many different model-data set combinations. The standard 6-parameter flat cold dark matter model with a cosmological constant (ΛCDM) is favored over all other models considered, with curvature being mildly favored only when cosmic microwave background lensing is not included. Many alternative models are strongly disfavored by the data, including primordial correlated isocurvature models (lnB=−7.8), nonzero scalar-to-tensor ratio (lnB=−4.3), running of the spectral index (lnB=−4.7), curvature (lnB=−3.6), nonstandard numbers of neutrinos (lnB=−3.1), nonstandard neutrino masses (lnB=−3.2), nonstandard lensing potential (lnB=−4.6), evolving dark energy (lnB=−3.2), sterile neutrinos (lnB=−6.9), and extra sterile neutrinos with a nonzero scalar-to-tensor ratio (lnB=−10.8). Other models are less strongly disfavored with respect to flat ΛCDM. As with all analyses based on Bayesian evidence, the final numbers depend on the widths of the parameter priors. We adopt the priors used in the Planck analysis, while performing a prior sensitivity analysis. Our quantitative conclusion is that extensions beyond the standard cosmological model are disfavored by Planck data. Only when newer Hubble constant measurements are included does ΛCDM become disfavored, and only mildly, compared with a dynamical dark energy model (lnB∼+2).en_ZA
dc.description.versionPublisher's versionen_ZA
dc.format.extent5 pagesen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationHeavens, A., et al. 2017. No evidence for extensions to the standard cosmological model. Physical Review Letters, 119(10):1-5, doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.119.101301en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn1079-7114 (online)
dc.identifier.issn0031-9007 (print)
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.119.101301
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/104658
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_ZA
dc.publisherAmerican Physical Societyen_ZA
dc.rights.holderAmerican Physical Societyen_ZA
dc.subjectCosmic microwave backgrounden_ZA
dc.subjectBayesian evidenceen_ZA
dc.subjectBayes factorsen_ZA
dc.subjectMonte Carlo Markov chainsen_ZA
dc.titleNo evidence for extensions to the standard cosmological modelen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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