Casimir dark energy, stabilization of the extra dimensions and Gauss-Bonnet term

A Casimir dark energy model in a five-dimensional and a six-dimensional spacetime including non-relativistic matter and a Gauss-Bonnet term is investigated. The Casimir energy can play the role of dark energy to drive the late-time acceleration of the universe while the radius of the extra dimensions can be stabilized. The qualitative analysis in four-dimensional spacetime shows that the contribution from the Gauss-Bonnet term will effectively slow down the radion field at the matter-dominated or radiation-dominated epochs so that it does not pass the point at which the minimum of the potential will arise before the minimum has formed. The field then is trapped at the minimum of the potential after the formation leading to the stabilization of the extra dimensions.