We present a scenario in which a scalar field dark energy is coupled to the trace of the energy momentum tensor of the baryonic matter fields. In the slow-roll regime, this interaction could give rise to the cosmological features of dark matter. We work out the cosmological background solutions and fit the parameters of the model using the Union 2 supernovae data set. Then, we develop cosmological perturbations up to linear order, and we find that the perturbed variables have an acceptable behavior, in particular, the density contrast of baryonic matter grows similar to that in the $\Lambda \mathrm{CDM}$ model for a suitable choice of the strength parameter of the coupling.

• Received 16 September 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.83.023510