We study the tidal deformability of horizonless exotic compact objects, with implications for area quantized black holes. Since, any such horizonless compact object, including an area quantized black hole, possesses a nonzero reflectivity, it follows that they inherit a nonzero tidal Love number which varies as a function of the perturbing frequency. The reflectivity of the horizon for an area quantized black hole has a distinct shape and unmistakable features, which are also present in the frequency-dependent tidal Love numbers, and therefore is a smoking gun test for such quantum black holes. The existence of these features also promotes the dynamical Love number to be a crucial observational tool to not only distinguish area quantized black holes from other models of horizonless compact objects, but also to differentiate between black holes with distinct schemes of area quantization. We further discuss implications of the same for the present and the future gravitational wave detectors.

• Received 18 August 2022
• Revised 17 February 2023
• Accepted 7 June 2023

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.107.124041