Probing Fundamental Constant Oscillation in the Galactic Center with S-Star Spectroscopy

Abstract

Astrophysical spectroscopy provides a powerful probe of spacetime variations of fundamental constants, as atomic and ionic emission and absorption lines depend sensitively on the fine-structure constant. In particular, coherent temporal oscillations induced by an ultralight scalar background produce characteristic, time-resolved signatures that can be robustly disentangled from intrinsic variability. In the Galactic Center, such scalar backgrounds can be substantially enhanced, either through the formation of dense scalar clouds powered by black hole rotational energy extraction or as ultralight scalar dark matter forming a soliton-like core. These scalar configurations generically induce oscillations of the fine-structure constant, with periods set by the scalar mass and spatial profiles determined by the scalar wavefunction and its coupling to the electromagnetic sector. We show that precise, time-resolved spectroscopy of S-stars orbiting the supermassive black hole Sgr A${}^{\ast }$ provides a sensitive test of these effects, enabling constraints on quadratic scalar-photon couplings in the exceptionally high boson-density environment of the Galactic Center.

28 pages, 5 figures, accepted version in JCAP