Little rip in classical and quantum f(R) cosmology

The little rip is a cosmological abrupt event predicted by some phantom dark energy models that could describe the future evolution of our Universe. This event can be interpreted as a big rip singularity delayed indefinitely, although in those models bounded structures will be destroyed in a finite cosmic time in the future. In this work, we analyze the little rip cosmology from a classical and quantum point of view within the scheme of alternative metric f(R) theories of gravity. The quantum analysis is performed in the framework of f(R) quantum geometrodynamics by means of the modified Wheeler-DeWitt equation. In this context, we show that the DeWitt criterion can be satisfied. Similar to what happens in general relativity, this result points toward the avoidance of the little rip in f(R) quantum cosmology.

Automated summary

Through classical and quantum analysis of little rip cosmology, it is found that within alternative metric f(R) theories of gravity, there may be a possibility to avoid the occurrence of a little rip event. The modified Wheeler-DeWitt equation in the framework of f(R) quantum geometrodynamics can satisfy the DeWitt criterion, similar to what happens in general relativity, suggesting the avoidance of the little rip in f(R) quantum cosmology.