Model-independent determination of curvature parameter using H(z) and DA(z) data pairs from BAO measurements

Abstract

We present a model-independent determination of the curvature parameter Ωk using the Hubble parameter H(z) and the angular diameter distance DA (z) from recent baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) measurements. Each H(z) and DA(z) pair from a BAO measurement can constrain a curvature parameter. The accuracy of the curvature measurement improves with increased redshift of H(z) and DA(z) data. By using the H(z) and DA(z) pair derived from a BAO Lyman α forest measurement at z = 2.36, the Ωk is confined to be -0.05 ± 0.06, which is consistent with the curvature of constrained by the nine year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe data only. Considering future BAO measurements, at least one order of magnitude improvement of this curvature measurement can be expected. © 2014. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.