Isotropization of Bianchi models and a new FRW solution in Brans-Dicke theory (Q5947426)

As measured in the cosmological background radiation by the COBE satellite, the universe is at large scales homogeneous and isotropic since, at least, the era of nucleosynthesis. Thus, for physical reasons, one has to ask whether anisotropic solutions of the gravitational theory under consideration can evolve to a homogeneous and isotropic Friedmann-Robertson-Walker metric. In the present paper, this question is discussed for the Brans-Dicke scalar-tensor theory. Using rescaled variables known and new Bianchi-type I, V, and IX solutions are analyzed with respect to the possibility that they are able to isotropize as the universe evolves and/or possess inflationary properties. In particular, a new \(k\neq 0\) homogeneous and isotropic solution is presented.