Testing the $\delta$-Kerr metric with black hole X-ray data

Abstract

The spacetime around astrophysical black holes is thought to be described by the Kerr solution. However, even within general relativity, there is not yet a proof that the final product of the complete collapse of an uncharged body can only be a Kerr black hole. We can thus speculate on the possibility that the spacetime around astrophysical black holes may be described by other solutions of the Einstein Equations and we can test such a hypothesis with observations. In this work, we consider the $\delta$-Kerr metric, which is an exact solution of the field equations in vacuum and can be obtained from a non-linear superposition of the Kerr metric with a static axially symmetric solution, often referred to as the $\delta$-metric. The parameter $\delta=1+q$ quantifies the departure of the source from the Kerr metric and for $q=0$ we recover the Kerr solution. From the analysis of the reflection features in the X-ray spectrum of the Galactic black hole in EXO 1846-031, we find $-0.1 < q < 0.7$ (90% CL), which is consistent with the hypothesis that the spacetime around the compact object in EXO 1846-031 is a Kerr black hole but does not entirely rule out the $\delta$-Kerr metric.