Dynamical Dark Energy and the Unresolved Hubble Tension: Multi-model Constraints from DESI 2025 and Other Probes

Abstract

We present a Bayesian comparative analysis of five cosmological models: $\Lambda$CDM, $w$CDM, $w_0{w}_a$CDM, $\varphi$CDM (with scalar-field dark energy), and an interacting dark energy scenario (the $\xi$-index model), to investigate dark energy evolution and the Hubble tension. Utilizing the latest data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) DR2 (Baryon Acoustic Oscillations, BAO), Pantheon+ (Type Ia Supernovae, SNIa), and Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) data (including lensing) from \textit{Planck} and the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT), we report three key findings. First, the Hubble constant ($H_0$) inferred from the combined data consistently aligns with early-universe measurements across all models, indicating a persistent Hubble tension. Second, we find compelling evidence for dynamical dark energy: early-universe (CMB) constraints favor a phantom phase (with an equation-of-state parameter $w<-1$), while late-universe (BAO/SNIa) data prefer quintessence ($w>-1$). Third, the full dataset suggests a late-time interaction between dark energy and matter. Our results demonstrate that dark energy evolves with cosmic time, challenging the cosmological constant paradigm.

16 pages, 14 figures, 1 table; Accepted for Publication in ApJ

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• Dark Energy in the DESI Era: A Brief Review of Evidence, Beyond-$\Lambda$CDM Interpretations, and Tensions
• Breaking Free from the Swampland of Impossible Universes through the DESI Portal