Relic gravitational waves in verified inflationary models based on the generalized scalar–tensor gravity

Abstract

Abstract In this work, we consider the models of cosmological inflation based on generalized scalar–tensor theories of gravity with quadratic connection between the Hubble parameter and coupling function. For such a class of the models, we discuss the correspondence between well-known versions of the scalar–tensor gravity theories and physically motivated potentials of a scalar field. It is shown that this class of models corresponds to the Planck observational constraints on the cosmological perturbation parameters for an arbitrary potential of a scalar field and arbitrary version of a scalar–tensor gravity theory. The spectrum of relict gravitational waves is analyzed, and the frequency range corresponding to maximal energy density is determined. The possibility of direct detection of the relic gravitational waves, predicted in such a class of models, by satellite and ground-based detectors is discussed as well.