The optimal redshift for dark energy I: formalism and interpretation

Abstract

We introduce the concept of the optimal redshift for dark energy, a statistically motivated redshift at which departures of the dark-energy equation of state (EOS) from the cosmological-constant value are tested most effectively. Within a generalized CPL parameterization, we derive an analytic expression for the optimal redshift by maximizing the separation of the EOS from $w=-1$ relative to the corresponding uncertainty. We establish the optimal redshift relationship to the phantom-crossing and pivot redshifts. As an illustration, we apply the formalism to the dataset combination of DESI DR2 BAO measurements, the DES Year-6 independent BAO measurement, and the recalibrated DES-Dovekie supernova sample. Adopting the null hypothesis $\mathcal{H}_0:w(a_{\rm opt})=-1$, we find a tension of ~$2.8σ$ with the cosmological-constant prediction at the optimal redshift, compared with ~$2.6σ$ at the pivot redshift, despite the latter having a smaller EOS uncertainty. This behavior reflects the specific design of the optimal redshift to maximize the statistical significance of a departure of the EOS from the -1 value of the $Λ$CDM model. We further provide statistical and geometrical interpretations of the optimum. In the CPL parameter space, the pivot corresponds to the projection that minimizes the variance of the equation of state, whereas the optimum maximizes its squared-distance from the cosmological-constant value over its variance. While the optimum is dataset and parameterization dependent, the underlying optimization principle and definition of the optimal redshift can be extended beyond the CPL framework. Future applications to DESI, Rubin LSST, Euclid, Roman Space Telescope, and other Stage-IV dark-energy surveys appear particularly promising.