Loss cone refilling by flyby encounters

A gap in phase-space, the loss cone (LC), is opened
up by a supermassive black hole (MBH) as it disrupts
or accretes stars in a galactic centre. If a star
enters the LC then, depending on its properties, its
interaction with the MBH will either generate a
luminous electromagnetic flare or give rise to
gravitational radiation, both of which are expected
to have directly observable consequences.

The thesis begins with a brief review of dynamical
modelling collisionless galaxies. Then the general
scheme is developed to construct high-resolution
N-body models. Next, a suit of optimized model and
code, both having high-resolution at the centre, are
used follow the evolution of flyby encounters for a
broad range of satellite parameters. The penultimate
chapter describes how the findings are used to
predict a MBH fuelling rate driven by orbiting
substructures within the dark matter halo. Finally, I
summarize the findings and provide some future work.

Autorentext

Mimi Zhang was born in 1982 in Chengdu, China. She obtained herbachelor's degree from Beijing University in 2000, and herdoctoral degrees in 2008 from Oxford University in UK.

Klappentext

A gap in phase-space, the loss cone (LC), is openedup by a supermassive black hole (MBH) as it disruptsor accretes stars in a galactic centre. If a starenters the LC then, depending on its properties, itsinteraction with the MBH will either generate aluminous electromagnetic flare or give rise togravitational radiation, both of which are expectedto have directly observable consequences.The thesis begins with a brief review of dynamicalmodelling collisionless galaxies. Then the generalscheme is developed to construct high-resolutionN-body models. Next, a suit of optimized model andcode, both having high-resolution at the centre, areused follow the evolution of flyby encounters for abroad range of satellite parameters. The penultimatechapter describes how the findings are used topredict a MBH fuelling rate driven by orbitingsubstructures within the dark matter halo. Finally, Isummarize the findings and provide some future work.