Journal article
A multidimensional view of a unified model for TDEs
- Abstract:
- Tidal disruption events (TDEs) can generate non-spherical, relativistic, and optically thick outflows. Simulations show that the radiation we observe is reprocessed by these outflows. According to a unified model suggested by these simulations, the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of TDEs depend strongly on viewing angle: low [high] optical-to-X-ray ratios (OXRs) correspond to face-on [edge-on] orientations. Post-processing with radiative transfer codes has simulated the emergent spectra but has so far been carried out only in a quasi-1D framework, with three atomic species (H, He, and O). Here, we present 2.5D Monte Carlo radiative transfer simulations which model the emission from a non-spherical outflow, including a more comprehensive set of cosmically abundant species. While the basic trend of OXR increasing with inclination is preserved, the inherently multi-D nature of photon transport through the non-spherical outflow significantly affects the emergent SEDs. Relaxing the quasi-1D approximation allows photons to preferentially escape in (polar) directions of lower optical depth, resulting in a greater variation of bolometric luminosity as a function of inclination. According to our simulations, inclination alone may not fully explain the large dynamic range of observed TDE OXRs. We also find that including metals, other than O, changes the emergent spectra significantly, resulting in stronger absorption and emission lines in the extreme ultraviolet, as well as a greater variation in the OXR as a function of inclination. Whilst our results support previously proposed unified models for TDEs, they also highlight the critical importance of multi-D ionization and radiative transfer.
- Publication status:
- Published
- Peer review status:
- Peer reviewed
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(Preview, Version of record, pdf, 4.0MB, Terms of use)
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- Publisher copy:
- 10.1093/mnras/staf880
Authors
+ National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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- Funder identifier:
- https://ror.org/027ka1x80
+ Space Telescope Science Institute
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- Funder identifier:
- https://ror.org/036f5mx38
+ National Natural Science Foundation of China
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- Funder identifier:
- https://ror.org/01h0zpd94
+ Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
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- Funder identifier:
- https://ror.org/0439y7842
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- Journal:
- Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society More from this journal
- Volume:
- 540
- Issue:
- 4
- Pages:
- 3069-3085
- Publication date:
- 2025-05-29
- Acceptance date:
- 2025-05-28
- DOI:
- EISSN:
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1365-2966
- ISSN:
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0035-8711
- Language:
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English
- Keywords:
- Source identifiers:
-
3059256
- Deposit date:
-
2025-06-27
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