Dark energy radiation

Abstract

We show that if dark energy evolves in time, its dynamical component could be dominated by a bath of dark radiation. Within current constraints this radiation could have up to ∼103 times more energy density than the cosmic microwave background. We demonstrate particular models in which a rolling scalar field generates different forms of dark radiation such as hidden photons, millicharged particles, and even Standard Model neutrinos. We find the leading effect on the late-time cosmological expansion history depends on a single parameter beyond the standard cosmological model, namely the temperature of the dark radiation today. Cosmological observations of this modified expansion rate could provide a striking signature of this scenario. The dark radiation itself could even be directly detectable in laboratory experiments, suggesting a broader experimental program into the nature of dark energy.