Geometric Cosmology models: statistical analysis with observational data

TL;DR

This paper explores alternative cosmological models with higher-order curvature invariants, testing their compatibility with observational data like supernovae and globular cluster ages, and identifies some models that fit current data.

Contribution

It introduces a novel class of models adding infinite higher-order curvature invariants and evaluates their observational viability.

Findings

Some models are ruled out by data.

Certain GILA models can explain current observations.

Models are constrained using Cosmic Chronometers, supernovae, and globular cluster ages.

Abstract

Although the standard cosmological model is capable of explaining most current observational data, it faces some theoretical and observational issues. This is the main motivation for exploring alternative cosmological models. In this paper, we focus on a novel proposal that consists in adding an infinite tower of higher-order curvature invariants to the usual Einstein-Hilbert action. We obtain the late-time background evolution for three families of models that can be obtained from this proposal. We use recent data from Cosmic Chronometers and type Ia supernovae to test the late-time predictions of our models. In addition, we consider estimations from the Age of the Older Globular Clusters to constrain our models. While some of the studied cases are ruled out by the data, we show that there are particular cases of the GILA model that can explain current data.