Generalized tachyonic dark energy

Abstract

In this paper, a generalized tachyonic dark energy scenario is presented in the framework of a homogeneous and isotropic Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) flat universe, in which a noncanonical scalar field is coupled to gravity nonminimally. By utilizing the Noether symmetry method, we found the explicit form of both potential density and coupling function, as a function of the scalar field. It is found that the tachyon field acts as the source of inflation and accelerates the evolution of the universe in the early times considerably. While, in the late times, gravitational sources are a pressureless matter field together with the tachyon field, which is the nature of dark energy and plays an essential role in the deceleration-acceleration phase transition of the universe. Further, the role of the coefficient function of tachyon potential, alongside the potential, is considered in the evolution of the universe. It is shown that this model involves a cosmological degeneracy in the sense that different coupling parameters and tachyonic potentials may be equivalent to the same cosmological standards such as the cosmic acceleration, age, equation of state and mean Hubble of the FLRW universe. The physical characteristics of the main cosmological observables are studied in detail, which suggests that the generalized tachyon field is a remarkable dark energy candidate.