Unified description of dark energy and dark matter within the generalized hybrid metric-Palatini theory of gravity

TL;DR

This paper presents a unified model within a modified gravity theory that describes both dark energy and dark matter using two interacting scalar fields, successfully replicating key features of cosmic evolution.

Contribution

It introduces a scalar-tensor framework in hybrid metric-Palatini gravity that unifies dark energy and dark matter phenomena.

Findings

Scalar field mimics dark energy causing late-time acceleration

Other scalar field acts like pressureless dark matter

Model reproduces main features of cosmic evolution

Abstract

The generalized hybrid metric-Palatini theory of gravity admits a scalar-tensor representation in terms of two interacting scalar fields. We show that, upon an appropriate choice of the interaction potential, one of the scalar fields behaves like dark energy, inducing a late-time accelerated expansion of the universe, while the other scalar field behaves like pressureless dark matter that, together with ordinary baryonic matter, dominates the intermediate phases of cosmic evolution. This unified description of dark energy and dark matter gives rise to viable cosmological solutions, which reproduce the main features of the evolution of the universe.