English

Is the $\Lambda$CDM Model in Crisis?

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 2025-11-18 v4 Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics High Energy Physics - Theory

Abstract

We present strong evidence for dynamical dark energy that challenges the standard Λ\LambdaCDM model. Several dark energy scenarios are explored, including ω0ωa\omega_0\omega_aCDM, logarithmic, exponential, JBP, and BA parameterizations, along with non-flat cosmologies allowing for spatial curvature (Ωk0\Omega_k \neq 0). Our analysis supports a flat Universe with Ωk0\Omega_k \approx 0. Using MCMC techniques, we constrain these models with observational data from DESI~DR2 baryon acoustic oscillations, Type~Ia supernovae, and compressed CMB likelihoods. The results provide strong statistical evidence that ω1\omega \neq -1, favoring dynamical dark-energy behavior consistent with a Quintom-B scenario (ω0>1\omega_0 > -1, ωa<0\omega_a < 0, and ω0+ωa<1\omega_0 + \omega_a < -1). We also derive upper bounds on the total neutrino mass, mν\sum m_\nu, using CMB + DESI~DR2 data: mν<0.066 eV\sum m_\nu < 0.066~\mathrm{eV} for Λ\LambdaCDM and mν<0.075 eV\sum m_\nu < 0.075~\mathrm{eV} for ω\omegaCDM. In the non-flat extensions, oΛ\LambdaCDM and oω\omegaCDM, the limits relax to mν<0.263 eV\sum m_\nu < 0.263~\mathrm{eV} and mν<0.520 eV\sum m_\nu < 0.520~\mathrm{eV}, respectively. For the other models ω0ωa\omega_0\omega_aCDM, logarithmic, exponential, JBP, BA, and GEDE the constraints range between <0.043<0.043 and <0.127 eV<0.127~\mathrm{eV}. The effective number of relativistic species remains consistent with the standard value, Neff=3.044N_{\mathrm{eff}} = 3.044, across all models. Bayesian evidence further shows that combining DES-SN5Y or Union3 supernova samples with CMB + DESI~DR2 produces measurable deviations from Λ\LambdaCDM. Although no model reaches the 5σ5\sigma significance threshold, several exhibit tensions exceeding 3σ3\sigma, suggesting emerging cracks in the cosmological constant paradigm.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2509.17124,
  title  = {Is the $\Lambda$CDM Model in Crisis?},
  author = {Himanshu Chaudhary and Salvatore Capozziello and Subhrat Praharaj and Shibesh Kumar Jas Pacif and G. Mustafa},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2509.17124},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

23 pages, 11 figures, Published in Journal of High Energy Astrophysics

R2 v1 2026-07-01T05:48:22.621Z