$δ$-CDM: A Minimal Deformation of $Λ$CDM with Scalar Field Reconstruction

Abstract

Recent DESI BAO observations provide intriguing hints that dark energy may be dynamical in nature. To investigate deviations of the dark energy equation of state (EoS) from $w = -1$, we introduce the $δ$-CDM framework, a controlled deformation of $Λ$CDM in which deviations from a cosmological constant are parametrized by a redshift-dependent function $δ(z)$, defined through $w_{\rm de}(z) = -1 + δ(z)$. As an illustrative example, we reconstruct $δ(z)$ using effective scalar field dynamics of thawing type, encompassing both quintessence and phantom regimes within a unified description. Notably, the reconstructed $δ(z)$ is independent of the specific scalar field realization, ensuring theoretical robustness. Using Planck CMB-SPA data, DESI DR2 BAO measurements, and the Pantheon+ supernova sample within a Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo analysis, we find that the $\tilde{w}_0\tilde{w}_a$ parametrization is preferred over this thawing-type realization of deviations from $w = -1$. Overall, the $δ$-CDM framework provides a minimal yet flexible extension of $Λ$CDM, capable of capturing late-time dynamical features of dark energy.