Unleashing the predictive power of tidal disruption events

Introduction

Tidal disruption events (TDEs) have been known for decades as unique probes of otherwise quiescent supermassive black holes and their environment, in a mass range inaccessible by any other techniques. However, fulfilling this potential has so far been hindered by a crucial lack of understanding of the physics causing the emission. My program will solve this theoretical bottleneck and unleash the predictive power of TDEs at the dawn of an observational golden era provided by the Rubin Observatory.

TDE Mechanism

A TDE occurs when a star is disrupted by a black hole, after which the stellar debris fuels the compact object, generating the detectable signal. While characterizing this emission has been prevented by the impossibility of simulating the entire gas evolution, I am pioneering a new computational approach that solves this long-standing impediment by dividing the evolution into interconnected phases.

New Computational Approach

Relying on this technique, I will deliver the first paradigm for the TDE emission based on first-principles simulations.

Theoretical Lightcurves

Using this new knowledge, I will build theoretical lightcurves that directly depend on astrophysical system parameters, namely the black hole and stellar properties. Additionally, I will develop the first physically sound analysis toolkit for detected TDEs, which statistically compares these lightcurves to observed ones to infer system parameters.

Implications of the Research

Applying this toolkit to the wealth of upcoming TDE detections, I will shed new light on some of the most pressing mysteries in astrophysics, including:

1. The formation and growth of supermassive black holes
2. The properties and interactions between the stars orbiting them
3. The processes leading to relativistic jets and neutrino production

Conclusion

My ambitious research program is designed to capitalize on the observational revolution brought about by the Rubin Observatory, setting the foundations for TDE science in the decade to come with far-reaching implications across fields from galaxy evolution to high-energy astrophysics.