Magnetohydrodynamical simulations of a deep tidal disruption in general relativity

We perform hydro- and magnetohydrodynamical general-relativistic simulations of a tidal disruption of a 0.1 M_⊙ red dwarf approaching a 10⁵ M_⊙ non-rotating massive black hole on a close (impact parameter β = 10) elliptical (eccentricity e = 0.97) orbit. We track the debris self-interaction, circularization and the accompanying accretion through the black hole horizon. We find that the relativistic precession leads to the formation of a self-crossing shock. The dissipated kinetic energy heats up the incoming debris and efficiently generates a quasi-spherical outflow. The self-interaction is modulated because of the feedback exerted by the flow on itself. The debris quickly forms a thick, almost marginally bound disc that remains turbulent for many orbital periods. Initially, the accretion through the black hole horizon results from the self-interaction, while in the later stages it is dominated by the debris originally ejected in the shocked region, as it gradually falls back towards the hole. The effective viscosity in the debris disc stems from the original hydrodynamical turbulence, which dominates over the magnetic component. The radiative efficiency is very low because of low energetics of the gas crossing the horizon and large optical depth that results in photon trapping. Although the parameters of the simulated tidal disruption are probably not representative of most observed events, it is possible to extrapolate some of its properties towards more common configurations.