Abstract
This thesis establishes tidal disruption events (TDEs) as transformative probes of unique black hole (BH) populations, early stellar systems, and galaxy structures. Through innovative theoretical modelling and data analysis, we make three fundamental advances that greatly improve our understanding of these extreme astrophysical phenomena.
First, we demonstrate TDEs’ unique sensitivity to intermediate mass black holes (IMBHs). Our calculations reveal that IMBH TDE rates are comparable to supermassive black hole (SMBH) TDE rates, with higher likelihood of extreme penetration events. Furthermore, we identify an inverse relationship between TDE rate and BH mass in the IMBH regime, opposite to the classical trend seen for SMBHs, suggesting that galactic environments hosting IMBHs may differ systematically from those with SMBHs. By incorporating realistic galactic profiles, we establish TDEs as a promising method for detecting these elusive IMBHs, crucial for understanding SMBH seeding and growth across cosmic time.
Second, we develop the first framework for modeling TDEs of Population-III stars, the first generation of stars formed in the universe. Our models predict distinctive observational signatures featuring enhanced mass fallback rates and prolonged infrared emission. These results demonstrate the feasibility of identifying primordial stellar disruptions with JamesWebb Space Telescope and the Roman Space Telescope, creating unprecedented opportunities to study the universe’s first stars and their connection to early BH formation.
Third, we investigate the intriguing properties of TDE host galaxy environments. Our analysis reveals systems with enhanced central stellar concentration yet no signatures related to galaxy mergers, which challenges the common belief that TDE hosts tend to be post-merger galaxies. This finding, coupled with our novel findings of an enhanced bar fraction in typical TDE hosts, strongly suggests secular evolutionary processes may play a more significant role in creating TDE-favorable nuclear environments than previously recognized.
Together, these advances elevate TDEs from rare astrophysical curiosities to precision instruments for mapping the IMBH population, detecting the first stars, and constraining galaxy evolution mechanisms. By bridging cutting-edge theory with next-generation observational capabilities, this work ushers in a new epoch of BH astronomy, with profound implications for our understanding of extreme cosmic phenomena across all scales.
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