Stellar dynamics and tidal disruption events in galactic nuclei

TL;DR

This paper reviews the complex stellar dynamical processes leading to tidal disruption events in galactic nuclei, highlighting theoretical challenges, dynamical channels, and recent advances in understanding black hole-stellar interactions.

Contribution

It introduces the loss cone problem, discusses various dynamical channels and relaxation mechanisms, and presents new dynamical insights relevant to tidal disruption events.

Findings

Identification of key dynamical channels supplying stars to black holes

Discussion of relaxation mechanisms influencing stellar orbits

Presentation of new dynamical results affecting understanding of galactic nuclei

Abstract

The disruption of a star by the tidal field of a massive black hole is the final outcome of a chain of complex dynamical processes in the host galaxy. I introduce the "loss cone problem", and describe the many theoretical and numerical challenges on the path of solving it. I review various dynamical channels by which stars can be supplied to a massive black hole, and the relevant dynamical relaxation / randomization mechanisms. I briefly mention some "exotic" tidal disruption scenarios, and conclude by discussing some new dynamical results that are changing our understanding of dynamics near a massive black hole, and may well be relevant for tidal disruption dynamics.