We revisit the definition and some of the characteristics of quadratic theories of gravity with torsion. We start from a Lagrangian density quadratic in the curvature and torsion tensors. By assuming that General Relativity should be recovered when the torsion vanishes and investigating the behaviour of the vector and pseudo-vector torsion fields in the weak-gravity regime, we present a set of necessary conditions for the stability of these theories. Moreover, we explicitly obtain the gravitational field equations using the Palatini variational principle with the metricity condition implemented via a Lagrange multiplier.

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 analyse 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 towards the avoidance of the little rip in f (R) quantum cosmology.

The Little Sibling of the Big Rip is a cosmological abrupt event predicted by some phantom cosmological models that could describe our Universe. When this event is approached the observable Universe and its expansion rate grow infinitely, but its cosmic derivative remains finite. In this work we have obtained the group of metric f (R) theories of gravity that reproduce this classical cosmological background evolution. Furthermore, we have considered the quantization of some of the resulting models in the framework of quantum geometrodynamics, showing that the DeWitt criterion can be satisfied. Therefore, as it also happens in General Relativity, this event may be avoided in f (R) quantum cosmology.

The big rip, the little rip and the little sibling of the big rip are cosmological doomsdays predicted by some phantom dark-energy models that could describe the future evolution of our universe. When the universe evolves towards either of these future cosmic events, all bounded structures and, ultimately, space–time itself are ripped apart. Nevertheless, it is commonly believed that quantum gravity effects may smooth or even avoid these classically predicted singularities. In this review, we discuss the classical and quantum occurrence of these riplike events in the scheme of metric f(R) theories of gravity. The quantum analysis is performed in the framework of f(R) quantum geometrodynamics. In this context, we analyze the fulfilment of the DeWitt criterion for the avoidance of these singular fates. This review contains as well new unpublished work (the analysis of the equation of state for the phantom fluid and a new quantum treatment of the big rip and the little sibling of the big rip events).

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