Notes on a scalar field with a kinetic term non-minimally coupled to gravity

Abstract

We explore the inflationary phase of a scalar field with a kinetic term non-minimally coupled to gravity. We find that one of the slow-roll conditions is naturally consequence of the equation of motion of the scalar field. Thus, slow-roll conditions impose fewer constraints on potentials than other inflationary models. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the inflationary phase can be described by just one slow-roll parameter. By investigating the metric perturbations, it is shown that except for one potential, almost all potentials have the same pattern in the ($n_s$, $r$) plane. We provide an exact solution for the exceptional case. The exact solution represents the condensed scalar field and results in an accelerated expansion.

arXiv comment16 pages, 1 figure, changed title, added references