Dynamical system analysis for a scalar–tensor model with Gauss–Bonnet coupling

Abstract

In this paper, we study the dynamics of a scalar–tensor model of dark energy in which a scalar field that plays the role of dark energy, non-minimally coupled to the Gauss–Bonnet invariant in four dimensions. We utilize the dynamical system method to extract the critical points of the model and to conclude about their stability, we investigate the sign of the corresponding eigenvalues of the perturbation matrix at each point numerically. For exponential form of the scalar field potential and coupling function, we find five stable points among the critical points of the autonomous system. We also find four scaling attractor solutions with the property that the ratio of dark energy to dark matter density parameters are of order one. These solutions give the hope to alleviate the well-known coincidence problem in cosmology.