Dynamics of Multi-Component, Multi-Field Quintessence

Abstract

Dynamics of the multi-component, multi-field quintessence and gravity is formulated as relativistic N-particle dynamics, embedded in a static viscus flat space and under the forces given by an interacting Lorentz scalar potential via exchange of field bosons. The Ratra-Peebles power-law potential of effective single-field quintessence can be derived from this microscopic perspective. In certain situations, the effective dynamics can be made identical to that of the single complex quintessence, except for that the overall U(1) symmetry is not manifestly broken. The present formulation provides a convenient gauge for analyzing the superhorizon perturbations and possibly for quantization of superhorizon fields and gravity.