Dark energy via multi-Higgs doublet models: accelerated expansion of the Universe in inert doublet model scenario

Abstract

Scalar fields are among the possible candidates for dark energy. This paper is devoted to the scalar fields from the inert doublet model, where instead of one as in the standard model, two SU(2) Higgs doublets are used. The component fields of one SU(2) doublet ($\phi_1$) act in an identical way to the standard model Higgs while the component fields of the second SU(2) doublet ($\phi_2$) are taken to be the dark energy candidate (which is done by assuming that the phase transition in the field has not yet occurred). It is found that one can arrange for late time acceleration (dark energy) by using an SU(2) Higgs doublet in the inert Higgs doublet model, whose vacuum expectation value is zero, in the quintessential regime.