Dynamics

Scalings in Each Era

Radiation dominationMatter domination$\Lambda$ domination
$a(t)$$t^{1/2}$$t^{2/3}$$\exp(H_0 t)$
$\eta(a)$$\propto a$$\propto a^{1/2}$$-1/(aH)$
$H(a)$$\propto a^{-2}$$\propto a^{-3/2}$const.

In Λ domination $\eta = \int dt/a$ asymptotes to a finite future conformal time; the form above is the leading $a \to \infty$ behavior.

Formula Sheet

$$ \begin{aligned} \frac{dz}{dt} &= -H(z)\,(1+z) \\[4pt] \frac{d}{d\eta} &= a^2 H \,\frac{d}{da} \\[4pt] \frac{H^2}{H_0^2} &= \Omega_{r,0}\,a^{-4} + \Omega_{m,0}\,a^{-3} + \Omega_{k,0}\,a^{-2} + \Omega_{\Lambda,0} \end{aligned} $$

Critical density today: $\rho_{\rm crit} = 3 H_0^2 / (8\pi G) \approx 1.878\times 10^{-29}\,h^2\;{\rm g\,cm^{-3}}$.

CMB temperature scaling: $T(z) = T_0\,(1+z)$ with $T_0 = 2.7255\,{\rm K}$.

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