Time Variation of the Matter Content of the Expanding Universe in the Framework of Brans-Dicke Theory

In the framework of Brans-Dicke theory, a cosmological model regarding the expanding universe has been formulated by considering an inter-conversion of matter and dark energy. A function of time has been incorporated into the expression of the density of matter to account for the non-conservation of the matter content of the universe. This function is proportional to the matter content of the universe. Its functional form is determined by using empirical expressions of the scale factor and the scalar field in field equations. This scale factor has been chosen to generate a signature flip of the deceleration parameter with time. The matter content is found to decrease with time monotonically, indicating a conversion of matter into dark energy. This study leads us to the expressions of the proportions of matter and dark energy of the universe. Dependence of various cosmological parameters upon the matter content has been explored