Kantowski-Sachs scalar field cosmological models in a modified theory of gravity

In this paper, we investigate the anisotropic Kantowski-Sachs model in the f(R, T) theory of gravity proposed by Harko et al. (Phys. Rev. D, 84, 024020, 2011) with scalar field (quintessence or phantom). Here R is the Ricci scalar and T is the trace of the energy-momentum tensor. The field equations have been solved using the fact that scalar expansion is proportional to the shear scalar of the space-time. We explore the behavior of the deceleration parameter, which represents a transition of the universe from the early decelerating phase to the present accelerated phase. Some physical properties and various cosmological distance measures are also obtained and discussed.