Dynamical Analysis of Scalar Field Cosmologies with Spatial Curvature

Abstract

We explore the dynamical behaviour of cosmological models involving a scalar field (with an exponential potential and a canonical kinetic term) and a matter fluid with spatial curvature included in the equations of motion. Using appropriately defined parameters to describe the evolution of the scalar field energy in this situation, we find that there are two extra fixed points that are not present in the case without curvature. We also analyse the evolution of the effective equation-of-state parameter for different initial values of the curvature.

17 pages, 11 figures. Amended in response to peer review in the Open Journal of Astrophysics