From Big Bang Nucleosynthesis to Late-Time Acceleration in $f(Q,L_m)$ Gravity

Abstract

We perform a comprehensive investigation of the early-to-late time cosmic evolution within the framework of $f(Q,L_m)$ gravity, characterized by a non-minimal coupling between non-metricity and matter. The model is further tested against a combined set of observational data, including DESI DR2 BAO, previous BAO measurements, cosmic chronometers (CC), and gravitational-wave (GW) standard sirens, using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach. Further by incorporating the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) freeze-out constraint, we place stringent limits on the model parameters, ensuring consistency with early-Universe physics. The resulting constraints exhibit strong agreement with observations, with the model successfully describing the transition from decelerated to accelerated expansion. The evolution of the effective equation-of-state parameter, together with statefinder diagnostics and energy conditions, reveals a quintessence-like nature and confirms the physical viability of the model. Overall, the $f(Q,L_m)$ framework emerges as a viable alternative to $\Lambda$CDM, closely reproducing its predictions while allowing controlled deviations in the expansion history.