Outer extent of the star-forming accretion disk

Determine the outer extent of the star-forming component of accretion disks around massive black holes, including how stellar feedback and radiative cooling regulate that extent.

Background

The adopted simulations restrict the disk to the inner standard-disk region, while an outer marginally unstable, star-forming disk could substantially increase the stellar capture reservoir and alter the disruption rate. The paper identifies the size of this component as unresolved because it depends on feedback and cooling and lacks clear observational confirmation.

References

However, the outer extent of this star-forming disk remains uncertain.

— Rapid Growth of Intermediate-Mass Black Holes through Disk-induced Stellar DisruptionsRapid Growth of Intermediate-Mass Black Holes through Disk-induced Stellar Disruptions  (2609.03701 - Wang et al., 3 Sep 2026) in Section 5, Accretion Disk Model