Lie symmetries for the cosmological field equations in brane-world gravity with bulk scalar field

Abstract: We address the group classification problem for gravitational field equations within the context of brane-world cosmology, considering the presence of a bulk scalar field. Our investigation revolves around a five-dimensional spacetime, with the four-dimensional Friedmann--Lema^{\i}tre--Robertson--Walker geometry embedded within it. Additionally, we assume that the scalar field exists in this five-dimensional geometry (bulk) and possesses a nonzero mass. The resulting field equations constitute a system of nonlinear partial differential equations. We apply the Lie symmetry condition to identify all functional forms of the scalar field potential, ensuring that the field equations remain invariant under one-parameter point transformations. Consequently, we find that only the exponential potential exhibits Lie symmetries. Finally, the Lie invariants are used to construct similarity transformations, which enable us to derive exact solutions for the system.