Revised WMAP constraints on neutrino masses and other extensions of the minimal $\Lambda$CDM model

Abstract

Recently, two issues concerning the three-year WMAP likelihood code were pointed out. On large angular scales ($l\lesssim 30$), a sub-optimal likelihood approximation resulted in a small power excess. On small angular scales ($l\gtrsim 300$), over-subtraction of unresolved point sources produced a small power deficit. For a minimal six-parameter cosmological model, these two effects conspired to decrease the value of $n_s$ by $\sim 0.7\sigma$. In this paper, we study the change in preferred parameter ranges for more extensive cosmological models, including running of $n_s$, massive neutrinos, curvature, and the equation of state for dark energy. We also include large-scale structure and supernova data in our analysis. We find that the parameter ranges for ${\alpha }_s$, ${\Omega }_k$ and $w$ are not much altered by the modified analysis. For massive neutrinos the upper limit on the sum of the neutrino masses decreases from $M_{\nu }<1.90$eV to $M_{\nu }<1.57$eV when using the modified WMAP code and WMAP data only. We also find that the shift of $n_s$ to higher values is quite robust to these extensions of the minimal cosmological model.

arXiv comment7 pages. Matching version published in Physical Review D. Figures changed, references added, additional comments

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• Axion constraints in non-standard thermal histories
• Are cosmological neutrinos free-streaming?
• Neutrino Mass, Dark Energy, and the Linear Growth Factor
• The inflationary gravitational-wave background and measurements of the scalar spectral index
• Neutrino Mixings and Leptonic CP Violation from CKM Matrix and Majorana Phases
• WMAP 5-year constraints on lepton asymmetry and radiation energy density: Implications for Planck
• Using the cluster mass function from weak lensing to constrain neutrino masses
• Measuring Planck beams with planets
• Global neutrino parameter estimation using Markov Chain Monte Carlo
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• On the Determination of Neutrino Masses and Dark Energy Evolution from the Cross Correlation of CMB and LSS
• Upper limits on neutrino masses from cosmology
• Review of Low Energy Neutrinos