Cosmological dynamics of scalar-tensor gravity.

We study the phase space of Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) models derived from scalar-tensor gravity where the non-minimal coupling is F(ph) = xph2 and the effective potential is V(ph) = lphn. Our analysis allows one to unfold many features of the cosmology of this class of theories. For example, the evolution mechanism towards states indistinguishable from GR is recovered and proved to depend critically on the form of the potential V(ph). Also, transient almost-Friedmann phases evolving towards accelerated expansion and unstable inflationary phases evolving towards stable ones are found. Some of our results are shown to hold also for the string-dilaton action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]