The simplest non-minimal matter-geometry coupling in the f (R, T) cosmology

Author(s)

Moraes, P. H. R. S. ; Sahoo, P. K.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL C; v. 77, n. 7 JUL 18 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 35

Abstract

f (R, T) gravity is an extended theory of gravity in which the gravitational action contains general terms of both the Ricci scalar R and the trace of the energy-momentum tensor T. In this way, f (R, T) models are capable of describing a non-minimal coupling between geometry (through terms in R) and matter (through terms in T). In this article we construct a cosmological model from the simplest non-minimal matter-geometry coupling within the f (R, T) gravity formalism, by means of an effective energy-momentum tensor, given by the sum of the usual matter energy-momentum tensor with a dark energy contribution, with the latter coming from the matter-geometry coupling terms. We apply the energy conditions to our solutions in order to obtain a range of values for the free parameters of the model which yield a healthy and well-behaved scenario. For some values of the free parameters which are submissive to the energy conditions application, it is possible to predict a transition from a decelerated period of the expansion of the universe to a period of acceleration (dark energy era). We also propose further applications of this particular case of the f (R, T) formalism in order to check its reliability in other fields, rather than cosmology. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/08476-0 - Gravitational waves in f(R,T) theories: polarization states and astrophysical sources
• Grantee: Pedro Henrique Ribeiro da Silva Moraes
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate