Phantom Menace in general Palatini $f(R,\phi)$ theories

TL;DR

This paper investigates general $f(R,\, extphi)$ theories in Palatini formalism, identifying conditions for stability and late-time acceleration, and constraining models with observational data to understand cosmic evolution.

Contribution

It introduces a unified approach to $f(R,\, extphi)$ theories in Palatini formalism, analyzing stability and observational constraints for early and late universe expansion.

Findings

Identified conditions for theory consistency in weak gravity and cosmic regimes.

Found a stable late-time accelerating universe with a phantom scalar field.

Suggested the late-time fixed point may be transient, evolving toward potential-driven expansion.

Abstract

We study general $f(R,\phi)$ theories in Palatini formalism and attempt to constrain the behavior of ones that could support both inflationary and late-time expansion era in a unified model. In particular, we find conditions for which the theories remain consistent in weak gravity regimes as well as cosmic expansion eras in both early and late universe. Assuming that the curvature part of the $f(R,\phi)$ behaves as Starobinsky gravity, we assess post-inflation dynamical stability of the theory in Einstein frame and proceed to isolate two distinct fixed points that provide a stable late-time accelerating universe. Comparison with DESI, Cosmic Chronometers, and SNeIa datasets adds more stringent constraints to the behavior of the theory near the present epoch, giving us one stable fixed point where expansion is driven by a phantom scalar field. However, time scales of the two fixed points suggest that this fixed point may be transient and may eventually evolve toward a stable expansion stage driven potential domination in the distant future of the universe.