Constraints on the sound speed of dark energy

Abstract

We have studied constraints on the equation of state, $w$, and speed of sound, c_s, of the dark energy from a joint analysis of data from the cosmic microwave background, large scale structure and type-Ia supernovae. We find that current observations have no significant sensitivity to c_s. However, there is a slight difference between models in which there are no dark energy perturbations and models in which dark energy behaves as a fluid. Assuming that there are no dark energy perturbations shifts the allowed region for $w$ to slightly higher values. At present models with and without dark energy perturbations provide roughly equally good fits to observations, but the difference is potentially important for future parameter estimations. Finally, we have also performed error forecasts for future measurements of c_s.