Viability tests of \textit{f(R)}-gravity models with Supernovae Type 1A data

Abstract

In this work, we will be testing four different general \textit{f(R)}-gravity models, two of which are the more realistic models (namely the Starobinsky and the Hu-Sawicki models), to determine if they are viable alternative models to pursue a more vigorous constraining test upon them. For the testing of these models, we use 359 low- and intermediate-redshift Supernovae Type 1A data obtained from thRede SDSS-II/SNLS2 Joint Light-curve Analysis (JLA). We develop a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation to find a best-fitting function within reasonable ranges for each \textit{f(R)}-gravity model, as well as for the Lambda Cold Dark Matter ($\Lambda$CDM) model. For simplicity, we assume a flat universe with a negligible radiation density distribution. Therefore, the only difference between the accepted $\Lambda$CDM model and the \textit{f(R)}-gravity models will be the dark energy term and the arbitrary free parameters. By doing a statistical analysis and using the $\Lambda$CDM model as our "true model", we can obtain an indication whether or not a certain \textit{f(R)}-gravity model shows promise and requires a more in-depth view in future studies. In our results, we found that the Starobinsky model obtained a larger likelihood function value than the $\Lambda$CDM model, while still obtaining the cosmological parameters to be ${\Omega }_m=0.268_{-0.024}^{+0.027}$ for the matter density distribution and $\bar{h}=0.690_{-0.005}^{+0.005}$ for the Hubble uncertainty parameter. We also found a reduced Starobinsky model that are able to explain the data, as well as being statistically significant.

15 pages, 13 figures, and 49 references. This is a re-submission [v3] with updated references and fixed typing errors. We also added in a new theoretical residuals plot, as well as adding two appendices to show the mathematics that were needed. This work is based on Renier Hough's Masters dissertation results