Constraining the Kerr parameters via X-ray reflection spectroscopy

Abstract

In a recent paper [Ghasemi-Nodehi & Bambi, EPJC 76 (2016) 290], we have proposed a new parametrization for testing the Kerr nature of astrophysical black hole candidates. In the present work, we study the possibility of constraining the "Kerr parameters" of our proposal using X-ray reflection spectroscopy, the so-called iron line method. We simulate observations with the LAD instrument on board of the future eXTP mission assuming an exposure time of 200~ks. We fit the simulated data to see if the Kerr parameters can be constrained. If we have the correct astrophysical model, 200~ks observations with LAD/eXTP can constrain all the Kerr parameters with the exception of $b_{11}$, whose impact on the iron line profile is extremely weak and its measurement looks very challenging.

8 pages, 5 figures. v2: refereed version