Mass Segregation in Eccentric Nuclear Disks: Enhanced Tidal Disruption Event Rates for High Mass Stars

TL;DR

This study explores how eccentric nuclear disks with two stellar types exhibit mass segregation effects that increase the likelihood of tidal disruption events, especially for high-mass stars.

Contribution

First analysis of an eccentric nuclear disk with two stellar species, revealing radial and vertical mass segregation effects that influence TDE rates.

Findings

Radial mass segregation observed in ENDs.

Vertical mass segregation causes heavy stars to sink to lower inclinations.

Higher disruption rate for heavy stars compared to light stars.

Abstract

Eccentric nuclear disks (ENDs) are a type of star cluster in which the stars lie on eccentric, apsidally-aligned orbits in a disk around a central supermassive black hole (SMBH). These disks can produce a high rate of tidal disruption events (TDEs) via secular gravitational torques. Previous studies of ENDs have included stars with only one mass. Here, we present the first study of an eccentric nuclear disk with two stellar species. We show that ENDs show radial mass segregation consistent with previous results from other cluster types. Additionally, ENDs show vertical mass segregation by which the heavy stars sink to lower inclinations than light stars. These two effects cause heavy stars to be more susceptible to tidal disruption, which can be seen in the higher fraction of heavy stars that are disrupted compared to light stars.