Dynamics of $f(R)$ gravity models and asymmetry of time

TL;DR

This paper analyzes $f(R)$ gravity models by solving their field equations, studying fixed points and stability in phase space, and reveals how $f(R)$ dynamics can lead to an emergent classical arrow of time.

Contribution

It provides a detailed phase space analysis of $f(R)$ models, including stability and cosmological dynamics, and uncovers the emergence of time asymmetry from $f(R)$ gravity.

Findings

Fixed points identified for different cosmic phases.

Stability conditions derived for these points.

Time asymmetry emerges from $f(R)$ dynamics in Einstein frame.

Abstract

We solve the field equations of modified gravity for $f(R)$ model in metric formalism. Further, we obtain the fixed points of the dynamical system in phase space analysis of $f(R)$ models, both with and without the effects of radiation. Stability of these points is studied against perturbations in a smooth spatial background by applying the conditions on the eigenvalues of the matrix obtained in the linearized first-order differential equations. Following this, these fixed points are used for analysing the dynamics of the system during the radiation, matter and acceleration dominated phases of the universe. Certain linear and quadratic forms of $f(R)$ are determined from the geometrical and physical considerations and the behaviour of the scale factor is found for those forms. Further, we also determine the Hubble parameter $H(t)$, Ricci scalar $R$ for these cosmic phases. We show the emergence of an asymmetry of time from the dynamics of the scalar field exclusively owing to the $f(R)$ gravity in the Einstein frame that may lead to an arrow of time at a classical level.