Constraining scalar field properties with boson stars as black hole mimickers

TL;DR

This paper constrains scalar field properties by analyzing stellar dynamics at the galactic center, proposing boson stars as black hole mimickers, and identifying parameter regions compatible with dark matter and observed compact objects.

Contribution

It introduces constraints on scalar field mass and self-interaction strength using galactic center observations, exploring boson stars as black hole alternatives.

Findings

Scalar field parameters compatible with dark matter and stellar dynamics.

Boson stars can mimic black holes in mass and compactness.

Constraints on scalar field properties from galactic observations.

Abstract

Constraints to the mass of a scalar field and the strength of its self-interacting coupling constant are obtained. This was done using observations of stellar dynamics at the center of our galaxy and by assuming that the dark compact object responsible of such dynamics is a boson star and not a supermassive black hole. We show that if such scalar field represents a spin-zero particle with cross section high enough to be considered collisional dark matter, there is a region of parameters compatible with both conditions: that the scalar field play the role of collisional dark matter and that it can form objects with the mass and compactness compatible with stellar kinematics.