Averaging inhomogeneities in scalar-tensor cosmology

Understand

The backreaction of inhomogeneities on the cosmic dynamics is studied in the context of scalar-tensor gravity.

• Due to terms of indefinite sign in the non-canonical effective energy tensor of the Brans-Dicke-like scalar field, extra contributions to the cosmic acceleration can arise.
• Brans-Dicke and metric f(R) gravity are presented as specific examples.
• Certain representation problems of the formalism peculiar to these theories are pointed out.