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Main Authors: Wang, Yi-Ying, Lei, Lei, Tang, Shao-Peng, Fan, Yi-Zhong
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.19081
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author Wang, Yi-Ying
Lei, Lei
Tang, Shao-Peng
Fan, Yi-Zhong
author_facet Wang, Yi-Ying
Lei, Lei
Tang, Shao-Peng
Fan, Yi-Zhong
contents Cosmological measurements have revealed tensions within the standard $Λ$CDM model, notably discrepancies in the Hubble constant and $S_8$ parameter. A modified recombination scenario involving a time-varying electron mass has been proposed as a feasible solution to the Hubble tension without exacerbating the $S_8$ tension. Recent observations have further revealed other potential deviations from the $Λ$CDM framework, such as non-flat spatial curvature and an anomalous CMB lensing amplitude. In this study, we explore whether introducing a variation in the electron mass $m_e$, allowing non-zero spatial curvature $Ω_K$, and a free lensing amplitude $A_{\rm lens}$ can resolve these persistent tensions. Using the Planck Public Release (PR) 3 and ACT power spectra, Planck PR4 and ACT lensing maps, together with BAO measurements from DESI DR2, we obtain $H_0 = 69.61^{+0.60}_{-0.55} \rm \, km \, s^{-1} \, Mpc^{-1}$ and $S_8= 0.808\pm0.012$, with $Δm_e / m_e = 0.0109^{+0.0068}_{-0.0066}$ and $A_{\rm lens} = 1.030^{+0.039}_{-0.037}$, both exceeding the $Λ$CDM expectations. We find no indication of spatial curvature deviating from flatness, even when including the Cosmic Chronometers and SNe Ia samples. However, when adopting the latest Planck power spectra likelihoods, NPIPE and HiLLiPoP, we obtain lower electron masses with $Δm_e / m_e = -0.0063^{+0.0095}_{-0.0099}$ and $-0.0095^{+0.0078}_{-0.0079}$, relieving the $S_8$ tension only. The lensing amplitude remains anomalously high, with $A_{\rm lens} = 1.053^{+0.042}_{-0.040}$ and $1.075^{+0.044}_{-0.043}$. Our results point to a promising direction for cosmological models to reconcile the aforementioned discrepancies, although more precise data from future experiments will be necessary to clarify the aforementioned modifications.
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id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_19081
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Lensing amplitude anomaly and varying electron mass alleviate the Hubble and $S_8$ tensions
Wang, Yi-Ying
Lei, Lei
Tang, Shao-Peng
Fan, Yi-Zhong
Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
Cosmological measurements have revealed tensions within the standard $Λ$CDM model, notably discrepancies in the Hubble constant and $S_8$ parameter. A modified recombination scenario involving a time-varying electron mass has been proposed as a feasible solution to the Hubble tension without exacerbating the $S_8$ tension. Recent observations have further revealed other potential deviations from the $Λ$CDM framework, such as non-flat spatial curvature and an anomalous CMB lensing amplitude. In this study, we explore whether introducing a variation in the electron mass $m_e$, allowing non-zero spatial curvature $Ω_K$, and a free lensing amplitude $A_{\rm lens}$ can resolve these persistent tensions. Using the Planck Public Release (PR) 3 and ACT power spectra, Planck PR4 and ACT lensing maps, together with BAO measurements from DESI DR2, we obtain $H_0 = 69.61^{+0.60}_{-0.55} \rm \, km \, s^{-1} \, Mpc^{-1}$ and $S_8= 0.808\pm0.012$, with $Δm_e / m_e = 0.0109^{+0.0068}_{-0.0066}$ and $A_{\rm lens} = 1.030^{+0.039}_{-0.037}$, both exceeding the $Λ$CDM expectations. We find no indication of spatial curvature deviating from flatness, even when including the Cosmic Chronometers and SNe Ia samples. However, when adopting the latest Planck power spectra likelihoods, NPIPE and HiLLiPoP, we obtain lower electron masses with $Δm_e / m_e = -0.0063^{+0.0095}_{-0.0099}$ and $-0.0095^{+0.0078}_{-0.0079}$, relieving the $S_8$ tension only. The lensing amplitude remains anomalously high, with $A_{\rm lens} = 1.053^{+0.042}_{-0.040}$ and $1.075^{+0.044}_{-0.043}$. Our results point to a promising direction for cosmological models to reconcile the aforementioned discrepancies, although more precise data from future experiments will be necessary to clarify the aforementioned modifications.
title Lensing amplitude anomaly and varying electron mass alleviate the Hubble and $S_8$ tensions
topic Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.19081