Quintessence and cosmic acceleration

TL;DR

This paper presents an exact cosmological model with a self-interacting quintessence field that aligns with observations of the universe's accelerated expansion, using a specific scalar field potential.

Contribution

It derives a class of exact solutions for a quintessence cosmology with an exponential potential within a flat FRW universe, linking theoretical models with observational data.

Findings

Model predicts accelerated cosmic expansion consistent with supernova observations

Exact solutions expressed in parametric form based on scalar field choices

Exponential potential fixed by gravitational field equations

Abstract

A cosmological model with perfect fluid and self-interacting quintessence field is considered in the framework of the spatially flat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) geometry. By assuming that all physical quantities depend on the volume scale factor of the Universe, the general solution of the gravitational field equations can be expressed in an exact parametric form. The quintessence field is a free parameter. With an appropriate choice of the scalar field a class of exact solutions is obtained, with an exponential type scalar field potential fixed via the gravitational field equations. The general physical behavior of the model is consistent with the recent cosmological scenario favored by supernova Type Ia observations, indicating an accelerated expansion of the Universe.