Algita Stankevičiūtė

PhD Student

Instrumental prospects for hunting Intermediate Mass Black Holes

Adaptive Optics -- Interferometry -- Black Holes -- Gravitational Microlensing -- Tidal Disruption Events

Current Research Summary:

Recently, Intermediate Mass Black Holes (IMBHs) (with masses from 100 to 105 Solar Masses) attracted wide attention due to importance in understanding how the black holes at various masses are formed, in particular the super-massive ones seen in quasars. One of the most novel techniques to detect them is to use so called Gravitational Microlensing phenomenon which able to create two separated images of the background source. Another method that can confirm possible candidates is Tidal disruption events (TDE). When a star and a BHs (Supermassive or Intermediate) meet, the star can be ripped apart by the tidal force of the BH and it produces flashes in UV range.

My research work is focused on combining my previous engineering background (improving ground based instruments and developing new possible tools (for example: Cube satellites, stratospheric drones and balloons)) with Gravitational Microlensing and Tidal Disruption Events to look for possible candidates of Intermediate Mass Black Holes.

Prior Research:

Master Degree in Applied Physics at Kaunas University of Technology (2016 - 2018) - Production of solid oxide fuel cells for renewable energy applications and rockets
Bachelor Degree in Applied Physics at Kaunas University of Technology (2012 - 2014) - Lithium Niobate Sensor investigation via Raman Spectroscopy)