PhysRevD.73.123523.pdf (200.19 kB)
Bayesian model selection analysis of WMAP3
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 08:13 authored by David Parkinson, Pia Mukherjee, Andrew R LiddleWe present a Bayesian model selection analysis of WMAP3 data using our code CosmoNest. We focus on the density perturbation spectral index nS and the tensor-to-scalar ratio r, which define the plane of slow-roll inflationary models. We find that while the Bayesian evidence supports the conclusion that nS?1, the data are not yet powerful enough to do so at a strong or decisive level. If tensors are assumed absent, the current odds are approximately 8 to 1 in favor of nS?1 under our assumptions, when WMAP3 data is used together with external data sets. WMAP3 data on its own is unable to distinguish between the two models. Further, inclusion of r as a parameter weakens the conclusion against the Harrison–Zel’dovich case (nS=1, r=0), albeit in a prior-dependent way. In appendices we describe the CosmoNest code in detail, noting its ability to supply posterior samples as well as to accurately compute the Bayesian evidence. We make a first public release of CosmoNest, now available at www.cosmonest.org.
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Physical Review DISSN
0556-2821External DOI
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12Volume
73Page range
1235231-1235237Pages
7.0Department affiliated with
- Physics and Astronomy Publications
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- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2012-02-06First Open Access (FOA) Date
2016-03-22First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2016-11-10Usage metrics
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