Gravitational atoms in the braneworld scenario

Abstract: In the Randall-Sundrum (RS) II braneworld scenario, general relativity (GR) is modified by adding an extra dimension such that it is indistinguishable from GR in the weak gravity limit. However, such modifications may leave a mark in the strong field regime. We therefore analyze massive scalar perturbations around rotating black holes in the RS II model. Unlike black holes in GR, these braneworld black holes carry a tidal charge that contains information about the extra spatial dimension, and the rotation parameter for such black holes can exceed unity. Through the method of continued fractions, we investigate the quasinormal mode spectra, and the superradiant instabilities associated with the existence of quasibound states, that is, gravitational atoms. In comparison to the four-dimensional Kerr black hole, we report distinctive signatures of the tidal charge and the rotation parameter, which manifest as signals of the extra dimension, on both the fundamental quasinormal mode and the formation of gravitational atoms. These findings offer insights into testing modifications to GR and detecting ultralight bosonic particles around black holes.