$\Lambda CDM$ periodic cosmology

Abstract

We examine the possibility that Universe expansion be made of some $\Lambda CDM$ expansions repeating periodically, separated by some inflation and radiation dominated phases. This so-called $\Lambda CDM$ periodic cosmology is motivated by the possibility that inflation and the present phase of accelerated expansion be due to the same dark energy. Then, in a phase space showing the variation of matter density parameter $\Omega_m$ with respect to this of the radiation $\Omega_r$, the curve $\Omega_m(\Omega_r)$ looks like a closed trajectory that Universe could run through forever. In this case, the end of the expansion acceleration of the $\Lambda CDM$ phase is the beginning of a new inflation phase. We show that such a scenario implies the coupling of matter and/or radiation to dark energy. We consider the simplest of these $\Lambda CDM$ periodic models i.e. a vacuum energy coupled to radiation. From matter domination phase to today, it behaves like a $\Lambda CDM$ model, then followed by an inflation phase. But a sudden and fast decay of the dark energy into radiation periodically ends the expansion acceleration. This leads to a radiation dominated Universe preceding a new $\Lambda CDM$ type expansion. The model is constrained with Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulations using supernovae, Hubble expansion, BAO and CMB data and fits the data as well as the $\Lambda CDM$ one.