Supermassive Black Hole Demographics with Tidal Disruption Events

Explore supermassive black hole demographics through the lens of tidal disruption events in this astrophysics seminar. Learn how these dramatic cosmic phenomena, where stars are destroyed by previously dormant supermassive black holes, provide unique insights into the low-mass end of the supermassive black hole population. Discover how recent observational advances have led to the discovery of approximately 100 such events, many with comprehensive electromagnetic spectrum follow-up observations. Examine how time-dependent relativistic accretion theory explains multi-wavelength emission from optical through X-ray energies, and understand how this theoretical framework enables tidal disruption events to serve as powerful probes of the massive black hole population. Review current constraints on the occupation fraction of intermediate mass black holes and explore future prospects for research in the LSST era.