Constraints on dark energy models from observational data

Abstract

Recent observations in cosmology suggest that the universe is undergoing accelerating expansion. Mysterious component responsible for acceleration is called "Dark Energy" contributing to 70% of total energy density of the universe. Simplest DE model is [Lambda]CDM, where Einstein’s cosmological constant plays role of the dark energy. Despite the fact that it is consistent with observational data, it leaves some important theoretical questions unanswered. To overcome these difficulties different Dark energy models are proposed. Two of these models XCDM parametrization and slow rolling scalar field model [phi]CDM, along with "standard" [Lambda]CDM are disscussed here, constraining their parameter set. In this thesis we start with a general theoretical overview of basic ideas and distance measures in cosmology. In the following chapters we use H II starburst galaxy apparent magnitude versus redshift data from Siegel et al.(2005) to constrain DE model parameters. These constraints are generally consistent with those derived using other data sets, but are not as restrictive as the tightest currently available constraints. Also we constrain above mentioned cosmological models in light of 32 age measurements of passively evolving galaxies as a function of redshift and recent estimates of the product of the cosmic microwave background acoustic scale and the baryon acoustic oscillation peak scale.