Constraints on the redshift dependence of the dark energy potential

We develop a formalism to characterize the shape and the redshift evolution of the dark energy potential. Our formalism makes use of quantities similar to the horizon-flow parameters in inflation and is general enough that can deal with multiscalar quintessence scenarios, exotic matter components, and higher-order curvature corrections to General Relativity. We show how the shape of the dark energy potential can be recovered nonparametrically using this formalism and we present approximations analogous to the ones relevant to slow-roll inflation. Since presently available data do not allow a nonparametric and exact reconstruction of the potential, we consider a general parametric description. This…