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Alleviating the $H_0$ and $\sigma_8$ anomalies with a decaying dark matter model

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arxiv 1902.10636 v3 pith:ZTEZKYL3 submitted 2019-02-27 astro-ph.CO

classification astro-ph.CO
keywords darkmattermodelsigmatensiondataalphadecays
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abstract

The Hubble tension between the $\Lambda$CDM-model-dependent prediction of the current expansion rate $H_0$ using Planck data and direct, model-independent measurements in the local universe from the SH0ES collaboration disagree at $>3.5\sigma$. Moreover, there exists a milder $\sim 2\sigma$ tension between similar predictions for the amplitude $S_8$ of matter fluctuations and its measurement in the local universe. As explanations relying on unresolved systematics have not been found, theorists have been exploring explanations for these anomalies that modify the cosmological model, altering early-universe-based predictions for these parameters. However, new cosmological models that attempt to resolve one tension often worsen the other. In this paper, we investigate a decaying dark matter (DDM) model as a solution to both tensions simultaneously. Here, a fraction of dark matter density decays into dark radiation. The decay rate $\Gamma$ is proportional to the Hubble rate $H$ through the constant $\alpha_{\rm dr}$, the only additional parameter of this model. Then, this model deviates most from $\Lambda$CDM in the early universe, with $\alpha_{\rm dr}$ being positively correlated with $H_0$ and negatively with $S_8$. Hence, increasing $\alpha_{\rm dr}$ (and allowing dark matter to decay in this way) can then diminish both tensions simultaneously. When only considering Planck CMB data and the local SH0ES prior on $H_0$, $\sim 1$\% dark matter decays, decreasing the $S_8$ tension to $0.3\sigma$ and increasing the best-fit $H_0$ by $1.6$ km/s/Mpc. However, the addition of intermediate-redshift data (the JLA supernova dataset and baryon acoustic oscillation data) weakens the effectiveness of this model. Only $\sim 0.5$\% of the dark matter decays bringing the $S_8$ tension back up to $\sim 1.5 \sigma$ and the increase in the best-fit $H_0$ down to $0.4$ km/s/Mpc.

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Forward citations

Cited by 10 Pith papers

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  1. Interpreting the Hubble tension with a cascade decaying dark matter sector

    astro-ph.CO 2025-07 conditional novelty 6.0 of 10

    A cascade decaying dark matter model combining early and late effects still cannot reduce the Hubble tension below about 3 sigma, and is statistically disfavored relative to Lambda CDM.

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    The B-mode recombination peak, tied to the light horizon at last scattering, can act as an independent early-universe standard ruler, measurable to about 2% with stage-IV CMB experiments.

  3. Dark Neutrino interactions phase out the Hubble tension

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    Dark matter-neutrino interactions that block neutrino free streaming shift CMB acoustic peaks and reduce the Hubble tension from about 3.8σ to about 2.1σ in a fit to Planck and WiggleZ data.

  4. Interacting dark energy in the early 2020s: a promising solution to the $H_0$ and cosmic shear tensions

    astro-ph.CO 2019-08 conditional novelty 5.0 of 10

    An interacting dark energy model with coupling proportional to the dark energy density alleviates the H0 and S8 tensions in Planck 2018 data but is not preferred once BAO and supernova data are included.

  5. Fractional Dark Matter decay: cosmological imprints and observational constraints

    astro-ph.CO 2019-08 conditional novelty 5.0 of 10

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    GEDE dark energy is observationally indistinguishable from ΛCDM once supernova data are included, with no phantom crossing and no resolution of the H0 and S8 tensions.

  7. Cosmology With Low-Redshift Observations: No Signal For New Physics

    astro-ph.CO 2019-08 conditional novelty 4.0 of 10

    Combining SN, BAO, lensing, cosmic chronometer, and growth data, the authors find ΛCDM remains the best dark energy model, with H0 and S8 consistent with most early and late universe probes within 2σ.

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  9. Cosmological constraints in extended parameter space from the Planck 2018 Legacy release

    astro-ph.CO 2019-08 conditional novelty 4.0 of 10

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  10. The Hubble tension: A decade review

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