www.iiassvietri.it

Research outline

Search for extrasolar planets

The light of a background source can be focused by the microlensing effect if a planetary system passes close to the line of sight. I have been working on the characterization of light curves for binary and planetary lenses. I have realized the first fully automatic system for real-time modeling of microlensing events without human intervention. I participate in the MiNDSTEp collaboration for exoplanet search through microlensing.
As responsible of the Astronomical Observatory at Salerno University, I participate in projects for exoplanet search through microlensing and transit methods.

Gravitational lensing by Black Holes

The gravitational field of black holes can bend the trajectory of light rays in a dramatic way. I have derived a universal formula for light bending by black holes in the strong deflection limit. By observing higher order images it is possible to test alternative theories of gravity. We have considered the specific case of the  supermassive black hole Sgr A*, predicting the position and the luminosity of higher order images for known stars.

Early Universe Cosmology

The Big Bang singularity can be cured and replaced by a cosmic bounce in the context of String Theory. I have been working on models for bouncing cosmologies (in particular Pre-Big Bang cosmology with Gabriele Veneziano), the evolution of perturbations and anisotropies in bouncing cosmologies, Trans-Planckian effects on the primordial perturbation spectrum.

Research groups: