Exploring the cosmological dynamics of a viable theory for ƒ(R)-gravity

• Main Author: Kandhai, Sulona
• Other Authors: Dunsby, Peter K S
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2014
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9608

Includes bibliographical references. === A viable theory for ƒ(R) gravity, the Hu-Sawicki (HS) model, is considered from a dynamical systems perspective. The case for which n=1, c₁=1 is treated, and qualitative information regarding the phase space of this model is extracted. Several stable de Sitter equilibrium points are identified, as well as an unstable "matter-like" point and solution orbits which resemble the ACDM evolution are presented. The expansion history produced by integration of the dynamical system of the HS model is compared with that of ACDM. It is found that while the HS model can produce the desired behaviour in the appropriate regime, this occurs at the expense of ACDM values of the observational parameters.