Cosmological dynamics of a class of non-minimally coupled models of gravity

Abstract

In this work a new non-minimally coupled model is presented, where a generic function $f(R)$ of the scalar curvature factors the usual Einstein-Hilbert action functional, motivated by relevant results obtained from similar models. Its cosmological dynamics are derived and the possibility of attaining a phase of accelerated expansion is assessed. To further probe the possible implications of the model, a dynamical system formulation is established, and used to assess the scenarios where $f(R)$ assumes a power-law or exponential form.