Probing dark energy with future surveys

TL;DR

This paper reviews how future imaging and redshift surveys can constrain dark energy's equation of state, emphasizing the precision needed to distinguish it from a cosmological constant using Bayesian model selection.

Contribution

It discusses the potential of upcoming surveys to measure dark energy parameters with high precision and evaluates the implications for alternative models using Bayesian analysis.

Findings

A 1% precision on w can strongly disfavor fluid-like dark energy.

Achieving 10^-3 precision could provide decisive evidence against alternative models.

Future surveys have significant potential to constrain dark energy properties.

Abstract

I review the observational prospects to constrain the equation of state parameter of dark energy and I discuss the potential of future imaging and redshift surveys. Bayesian model selection is used to address the question of the level of accuracy on the equation of state parameter that is required before explanations alternative to a cosmological constant become very implausible. I discuss results in the prediction space of dark energy models. If no significant departure from w=-1 is detected, a precision on w of order 1% will translate into strong evidence against fluid-like dark energy, while decisive evidence will require a precision of order 10^-3.