What $\xi$? Cosmological constraints on the non-minimal coupling constant

TL;DR

This paper derives cosmological constraints on the non-minimal coupling constant in scalar-tensor theories using observational data, excluding negative values at 68% confidence and aligning with conformal coupling conditions.

Contribution

It provides new observational bounds on the non-minimal coupling constant in scalar field cosmology using multiple data sources.

Findings

Negative coupling values are excluded at 68% confidence.

Constraints are consistent with conformal coupling conditions.

Exact solutions are obtained using invariant manifolds of the de Sitter state.

Abstract

In dynamical system describing evolution of universe with the flat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker symmetry filled with barotropic dust matter and non-minimally coupled scalar field with a constant potential function an invariant manifold of the de Sitter state is used to obtain exact solutions of the reduced dynamics. Using observational data coming from distant supernovae type Ia, the Hubble function $H(z)$ measurements and information coming from the Alcock-Paczy$\'n$ski test we find cosmological constraints on the non-minimal coupling constant $\xi$ between the scalar curvature and the scalar field. For all investigated models we can exclude negative values of this parameter at the $68\%$ confidence level. We obtain constraints on the non-minimal coupling constant consistent with condition for conformal coupling of the scalar field in higher dimensional theories of gravity.