The Cauchy problem in hybrid metric-Palatini f(X)-gravity

Abstract: The well-formulation and the well-posedness of the Cauchy problem is discussed for {\it hybrid metric-Palatini gravity}, a recently proposed modified gravitational theory consisting of adding to the Einstein-Hilbert Lagrangian an $f(R)$ term constructed {\it `{a} la} Palatini. The theory can be recast as a scalar-tensor one predicting the existence of a light long-range scalar field that evades the local Solar System tests and is able to modify galactic and cosmological dynamics, leading to the late-time cosmic acceleration. In this work, adopting generalized harmonic coordinates, we show that the initial value problem can always be {\it well-formulated} and, furthermore, can be {\it well-posed} depending on the adopted matter sources.