Time-Varying Scalar Mass in uDRD: Alleviating JWST High-Redshift Galaxy Anomalies

We extend the unified Dimensional Resonance Dynamics (uDRD) framework by promoting the scalar field mass m_ϕ from a constant to a time-dependent parameter: m²_ϕ(a) = m²_0 · a^{-γ}, where γ is a dimensionless exponent controlling the evolution rate. This single modification preserves all established successes of uDRD (Solar System screening, galaxy rotation curves, cluster phenomenology, cosmological EFT compliance) while addressing critical observational tensions in the early universe.

When γ = 0, the model reduces to standard uDRD; for γ > 0, the ϕ-field’s energy density scales as ρ_ϕ ∝ a^{-(3+γ)}, providing enhanced gravitational support at high redshift. We derive this scaling rigorously from oscillating scalar field dynamics in curved spacetime.

For a benchmark value γ = 0.05 - selected to balance observational improvements against Big Bang Nucleosynthesis constraints - we predict: 1. approximately 14% more effective dark matter at z = 12, enabling 20% more halos that partially alleviate (though do not fully resolve) the JWST “too-early” galaxy anomaly; 2. a ~4.0% reduction in the sound horizon r_s, increasing the CMB-inferred Hubble constant from 67.4 to approximately 70.3 km s^{-1} Mpc^{-1}, thereby substantially narrowing the H_0 tension from ~5.6σ to ~2.5σ; 3. a ~6% increase in σ_8 due to enhanced structure growth, potentially worsening the S_8 tension by ~1σ.

The enhanced early-universe energy density has negligible impact on Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (ΔN_eff ≪ 0.01), leaving this mechanism unconstrained by primordial abundance measurements. All predictions are immediately falsifiable with current data from JWST, Planck, DESI, and eROSITA. We discuss degeneracies with early dark energy models and provide criteria to distinguish scenarios based on persistent late-time effects in structure formation and void lensing.

This work builds directly on the foundational uDRD framework [1].