The recollapse problem of closed isotropic models in second order gravity theory

TL;DR

This paper investigates the recollapse of closed isotropic universe models in second order gravity, revealing that such universes can oscillate and avoid recollapse under certain conditions.

Contribution

It provides a dynamical systems analysis of closed FRW models in second order gravity, showing possible oscillatory behaviors near Minkowski spacetime.

Findings

Closed FRW universe can oscillate instead of recollapsing.

Initial conditions near Minkowski spacetime lead to oscillatory evolution.

The study offers insights into the late-time behavior of second order gravity models.

Abstract

We study the closed universe recollapse conjecture for positively curved Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) models in the Jordan frame of the second order gravity theory. We analyse the late time evolution of the model with the methods of the dynamical systems. We find that an initially expanding closed FRW universe, starting close to the Minkowski spacetime, may exhibit oscillatory behaviour.