Cosmology with Nonminimal Derivative Couplings

TL;DR

This paper explores a generalized gravity theory with derivative couplings that introduces new inflationary behaviors and phase transition phenomena, expanding the understanding of early universe cosmology.

Contribution

It introduces a novel class of models with derivative couplings, broadening the parameter space for inflationary attractors and analyzing their dynamical properties.

Findings

Expanded parameter space for inflationary attractors

Potential for non-scale-invariant fluctuations with single-field models

Insights into bubble spectra during phase transitions

Abstract

We study a theory which generalizes the nonminimal coupling of matter to gravity by including derivative couplings. This leads to several interesting new dynamical phenomena in cosmology. In particular, the range of parameters in which inflationary attractors exist is greatly expanded. We also numerically integrate the field equations and draw the phase space of the model in second order approximation. The model introduced here may display different inflationary epochs, generating a non-scale-invariant fluctuation spectrum without the need of two or more fields. Finally, we comment on the bubble spectrum arising during a first-order phase transition occurring in our model.