Tracker fields from nonminimally coupled theory

TL;DR

This paper extends quintessence models to nonminimally coupled scalar-tensor theories, deriving exact solutions using Noether symmetries, and introduces a family of tracker fields parametrized by a free parameter.

Contribution

It introduces a new class of exact solutions for nonminimally coupled scalar-tensor theories using Noether symmetries, linking the coupling and potential through a free parameter.

Findings

Derived exact solutions for a class of models with nonminimal coupling

Identified a family of tracker fields parametrized by s

Provided insights into the relationship between coupling and potential

Abstract

We extend the concept of quintessence to a flat nonminimally coupled scalar - tensor theories of gravity. By means of Noether's symmetries for the cosmological pointlike Lagrangian L, it is possible to exhibit exact solutions for a class of models depending on a free parameter s. This parameter comes out in the relationship existing between the coupling F(\phi) and the potential V(\phi) because of such a symmetry for L. When inverse power law potentials are taken in account, a whole family of exact solutions parametrized by such an s is proposed as a class of tracker fields, and some considerations are made about them.