Can f (Q) gravity challenge ΛCDM?

We study observational constraints on the nonmetricity f(Q)-gravity which reproduces an exact Lambda CDM background expansion history while modifying the evolution of linear perturbations. To this purpose we use cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation, baryonic acoustic oscillations (BAO), redshift-space distortions (RSD), supernovae type Ia (SNIa), galaxy clustering (GC) and weak gravitational lensing (WL) measurements. We set stringent constraints on the parameter of the model controlling the modifications to the gravitational interaction at linear perturbation level. We find the model to be statistically preferred by data over the Lambda CDM according to the chi(2) and deviance information criterion statistics for the combination with CMB, BAO, RSD and SNIa. This is mostly associated to a better fit to the low-l tail of CMB temperature anisotropies.

Automated summary

Observational constraints were studied on nonmetricity f(Q)-gravity, reproducing an exact Lambda CDM background expansion history while modifying the evolution of linear perturbations. By utilizing various measurements, it was found that the model is preferred over Lambda CDM in certain statistical aspects, primarily due to a better fit to the low-l tail of CMB temperature anisotropies.