Confronting quantum-corrected teleparallel cosmology with observations

TL;DR

This paper explores whether quantum fluctuations in teleparallel gravity can influence late-universe cosmology, finding mild observational support for quantum corrections that suggest phantom-like dark energy, though not conclusively ruling out standard models.

Contribution

It investigates quantum-corrected teleparallel gravity models using observational data, highlighting their potential impact on late-time cosmological parameters.

Findings

Quantum corrections mildly favored by data

Support for phantom-like dark energy

Quantum effects not definitively ruled out

Abstract

It has been shown that at the semi-classical order, gravitational theories with quantum fluctuations can be effectively recast as modified theories of gravity with non-minimal gravity-matter couplings. We proceed from an observational perspective and see whether such quantum fluctuations can leave imprints on the late Universe. Within the teleparallel formulation, we investigate a representative model in this general class of modified gravitational theories inlaid with quantum fluctuations, and determine the cosmological parameters by using compiled late-time data sets. Furthermore, we assess the statistical significance of such quantum corrections compared to the standard cosmological model. The results mildly favor the inclusion of quantum corrections with a negative density parameter supporting a phantom-like dark energy. This edge is not sufficient to rule out either models but it supports the consideration of quantum corrections in a cosmological setting.