Updated reduced CMB data and constraints on cosmological parameters

TL;DR

This paper derives reduced CMB data from multiple experiments and combines it with low-redshift observations to refine constraints on cosmological parameters, highlighting the impact of BICEP2 results on the Hubble constant.

Contribution

It provides updated reduced CMB data sets for various models and analyzes how BICEP2 influences cosmological parameter estimates, especially the Hubble constant.

Findings

Including BICEP2 raises the Hubble constant estimate.

Hubble constant estimates differ between Planck+WP+Lensing and Planck+WP+BICEP by about 1.3 sigma.

BICEP2 results affect constraints on dark energy and curvature.

Abstract

We obtain the reduced CMB data $\{l_A, R, z_*\}$ from WMAP9, WMAP9+BICEP2, Planck+WP and Planck+WP+BICEP2 for the $\Lambda$CDM and $w$CDM models with or without spatial curvature. We then use these reduced CMB data in combination with low-redshift observations to put constraints on cosmological parameters. We find that including BICEP2 results in a higher value of the Hubble constant especially when the equation of state of dark energy and curvature are allowed to vary. For the $\Lambda$CDM model with curvature, the estimate of the Hubble constant with Planck+WP+Lensing is inconsistent with the one derived from Planck+WP+BICEP at about 1.3 $\sigma$ confidence level.