Constraining the Dark Universe

Abstract

We combine complementary datasets to constrain dark energy. Using standard Big Bang Nucleosynthesis and the observed abundances of primordial nuclides to put constraints on $\hat{I}{\text{c◯}}_Q$ at temperatures near $T\sim 1MeV$, we find the strong constraint $\hat{I}{\text{c◯}}_Q(MeV)<0.045$ at $2\ddot{I}ƒ$ c.l.. Under the assumption of flatness, using results from Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) anisotropy measurements, high redshift supernovae (SN-Ia) observations and data from local cluster abundances we put a new constraint on the equation of state parameter $w_Q<-0.85$ at 68% c.l..

5 pages, 3 figures, new reference added. To appear in the proceedings of TAUP 2001 (7th international workshop on Topics in Astroparticle and Underground Physics), Sep 2001, Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, Assergi, Italy