Improved Null Tests of ΛCDM and FLRW in Light of DESI DR2

Abstract

The DESI DR2 BAO data, in combination with CMB and different SNIa datasets, exclude the flat ΛCDM model at more than 2.5σ when analyzed through the w 0 w aCDM parametrization for evolving dark energy. This simple parametrization may not accurately capture the behavior of the entire redshift range at late times, which may introduce bias in the results. We use null tests that probe for deviations from flat ΛCDM at late times, independent of any specific dark energy parametrization. We provide several diagnostics for null tests and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. In particular, we derive diagnostics that improve on previous ones, such as the popular O m diagnostic. The diagnostics are derived from both background and perturbed quantities. Using the combination of DESI DR2 BAO and supernova data, with or without CMB data, we find that deviations from flat ΛCDM are at ∼1σ confidence level in most of the redshift range (more than 1σ for a few small redshift intervals in a few cases). When considering SDSS BAO data instead of DESI BAO data, in combination with PantheonPlus, with or without CMB data, we find even smaller deviations. Since spatial curvature can potentially modify the results, we also test for curvature in the general ΛCDM model and the general FLRW model. While there is slight evidence for nonzero cosmic curvature at lower redshifts in a general ΛCDM model, there is no statistically significant evidence in a general FLRW model.

Department(s)

Physics

Comments

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Grant 75415

Keywords and Phrases

baryon acoustic oscillations; dark energy theory

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1475-7516

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2025 IOP Publishing, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Aug 2025

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