Polarisation angle variability in tidal disruption events

TL;DR

This study systematically analyzes the evolution of optical polarization angles in tidal disruption events, revealing complex variability patterns that challenge simple models and suggest evolving, non-axisymmetric geometries.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive analysis of polarization angle variability in TDEs, combining new and literature data to test emission models.

Findings

Most TDEs show significant polarization angle variability.

BFFs exhibit sustained late-time polarization evolution.

Simple axisymmetric models cannot explain the observed variability.

Abstract

Tidal disruption events (TDEs) occur when a star is disrupted by the tidal forces of a supermassive black hole, and these events produce bright multi-wavelength flares. Polarimetric measurements of TDEs allow us to disentangle the geometry and the mechanisms characterising the accretion process. We carried out the first systematic study of the time evolution of the optical polarisation angle ($\Theta$) in a sample of classified TDEs, combining our own data with all available measurements from the literature, with the goal of testing the currently available models that describe TDE emission. We assembled data from all available observing epochs with significant linear polarisation detections ($\Pi-3\sigma_\Pi>0\%$) for sources with at least two such epochs, and we determined the overall variability trends across the sample in various time frames, such as days from peak time and the fallback time ($t_0$) derived from the different models. Our final sample comprises 12 transients, including three Bowen fluorescence flares (BFFs). The majority of the sources show significant $\Theta$ variability. The distribution of $|\mathrm{d}\Theta/\mathrm{d}t|$ peaks near ($\sim 2^{\circ}$ d$^{-1}$. BFFs tend to display sustained late-time $\Theta$ evolution, likely due in part to their slower fading. No universal trend emerges when time is normalised by $t_0$. Short-timescale $\Theta$ variability is common in TDEs and is difficult to reconcile with simple axisymmetric reprocessing models that predict a constant polarisation angle. The observed phenomenology favours scenarios with evolving, non-axisymmetric geometries and/or shocks, possibly coupled with changes in optical depth. Denser polarimetric monitoring, contemporaneous spectroscopy, and X-ray/UV coverage are required to break the remaining degeneracies.