Scalar-tensor cosmologies: fixed points of the Jordan frame scalar field

Understand

We study the evolution of homogeneous and isotropic, flat cosmological models within the general scalar-tensor theory of gravity with arbitrary coupling function and potential.

• After introducing the limit of general relativity we describe the details of the phase space geometry.
• Using the methods of dynamical systems for the decoupled equation of the Jordan frame scalar field we find the fixed points of flows in two cases: potential domination and matter domination.
• We present the conditions on the mathematical form of the coupling function and potential which determine the nature of the fixed points (attractor or other).