Phenomenology of Large Scale Structure in scalar-tensor theories: joint prior covariance of $w_{\textrm{DE}}$, $\Sigma$ and $\mu$ in Horndeski

TL;DR

This paper derives the theoretical prior covariance for the dark energy equation of state and large scale structure functions in scalar-tensor theories, aiding joint reconstruction in cosmological analyses.

Contribution

It introduces a method to generate the prior covariance of $w_{DE}$, $\Sigma$, and $\mu$ in Horndeski gravity using Monte Carlo simulations of viable models.

Findings

High correlation between $\Sigma$ and $\mu$ in scalar-tensor theories.

Identified features and trends in the distribution functions of $w_{DE}$, $\Sigma$, and $\mu$.

Prior covariance matrices enable non-parametric joint reconstruction.

Abstract

Ongoing and upcoming cosmological surveys will significantly improve our ability to probe the equation of state of dark energy, $w_{\rm DE}$, and the phenomenology of Large Scale Structure. They will allow us to constrain deviations from the $\Lambda$CDM predictions for the relations between the matter density contrast and the weak lensing and the Newtonian potential, described by the functions $\Sigma$ and $\mu$, respectively. In this work, we derive the theoretical prior for the joint covariance of $w_{\rm DE}$, $\Sigma$ and $\mu$, expected in general scalar-tensor theories with second order equations of motion (Horndeski gravity), focusing on their time-dependence at certain representative scales. We employ Monte-Carlo methods to generate large ensembles of statistically independent Horndeski models, focusing on those that are physically viable and in broad agreement with local tests of gravity, the observed cosmic expansion history and the measurement of the speed of gravitational waves from a binary neutron star merger. We identify several interesting features and trends in the distribution functions of $w_{\rm DE}$, $\Sigma$ and $\mu$, as well as in their covariances; we confirm the high degree of correlation between $\Sigma$ and $\mu$ in scalar-tensor theories. The derived prior covariance matrices will allow us to reconstruct jointly $w_{\rm DE}$, $\Sigma$ and $\mu$ in a non-parametric way.