The disruptions of stars in the tidal fields of supermassive black holes provide information on the physics of the innermost accretion flow, the formation of accretion disks and the launch mechanisms of outflows in real-time and in a manner that is complementary to studies of Active Galactic Nuclei.

In this thematic area, we will explore the populations of Tidal Disruption Events (TDEs) and Quasi-Periodic Eruptions (QPEs) discovered by the Einstein Probe X-ray satellite and the Vera Rubin observatory. Through the development of classifiers using innovative machine-learning-based algorithms, systematically selected samples of high-confidence X-ray/optical TDEs will be compiled. Using multi-wavelength characterisation and modelling of selected events, we will study the physics of accretion disks and outflows, search for signatures of relativistic effects and constrain the properties of the disrupting supermassive black holes and their nuclear stellar populations.