This research proposes a method to constrain intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) in the Galactic Center using gravitational microlensing of background stars. The method leverages the unique stellar density and velocity environment within the central few parsecs of the Milky Way, targeting a parameter space inaccessible to conventional stellar-mass black hole microlensing searches.
Key findings
IMBHs with masses 102–105M⊙ represent a crucial missing link in the black hole mass spectrum.
The proposed method targets a parameter space inaccessible to conventional stellar-mass black hole microlensing searches.
Detection rates of 0.5–3 events per year are projected for a fiducial IMBH population within 10pc of the Galactic Center.
Limitations & open questions
Definitive detection of IMBHs requires independent confirmation beyond the reported observational hints.