Stability Conditions for the Horndeski Scalar Field Gravity Model

Abstract: We constrain the viable models of Horndeski gravity, written in its equivalent Generalised Galileon version, by resorting to the Witten positive energy theorem. We find that the free function $G_3(\phi, X)$ in the Lagrangian is constrained to be a function solely of the scalar field, $G_3(\phi)$, and relations among the free functions are found. Other criterion for stability are also analysed, such as the attractiveness of gravity, the Dolgov-Kawasacki instability and the energy conditions. Some applications for Cosmology are discussed