We use the latest compilation of observational Hubble parameter measurements estimated with the differential evolution of cosmic chronometers, in combination with the local value of the Hubble constant recently measured with 2.4% precision, to constrain the cosmological scenario where dark energy interacts directly with the dark matter sector. To diminish the degeneracy between the parameters we additionally consider standard probes, such as supernovae type Ia from joint light-curve analysis samples, baryon acoustic oscillation distance measurements (BAO), and cosmic microwave background data from Planck 2015 estimations. Our analysis shows that the direct interaction between dark energy and dark matter is mildly favored, while the dark energy equation-of-state parameter is $w<-1$ at a $3\sigma$ confidence level.

• Received 5 May 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.94.023508