Cosmological evolution in R^2 gravity

Abstract

The Universe evolution during the radiation-dominated epoch in the R^2-extended gravity theory is considered. The equations of motion for R and H are solved analytically and numerically. The particle production rate by the oscillating curvature is calculated in one-loop approximation and the back reaction of particle production on the evolution of R is taken into account. Possible implications of the model for cosmological creation of non-thermal dark matter is discussed.

Comments: 22 pages, 7 figures. Several references and criticism added. As published in JCAP