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Licenciada en Fisica, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba (1990)
M.S., University of Pittsburgh (1993)
Ph.D. , University of Pittsburgh (1995)
I have largely been involved in the study of null -- or lightlike --hypersurfaces of Einstein spacetimes for a number of years. I collaborate very closely with my former advisor Prof. Ezra T. Newman, of the University of Pittsburgh, who introduced me to the subject. The underlying motivation for our research is the understanding of the relationship between the curvature of a spacetime and the properties of its null hypersurfaces, which are traced by light in the high-frequency approximation (geometrical optics). The project is mathematically quite involved. Still, in the long run it is potentially relevant to observations of the effect of dense astrophysical objects in the images of background galaxies (such as gravitational lensing). At this time, we are investigating the occurrence of caustics and their description in the context of our project.
I am also interested in a different area of general relativity, related to the numerical generation of spacetimes as solutions of the Einstein equations, which is actively being researched by Professor Jeffrey Winicour, Roberto Gomez and collaborators at the University of Pittsburgh. I am occasionally involved with the analytical (rather than numerical) aspects of the problem from the point of view of the theory of partial differential equations. Specifically, I am concerned with the stability of the solutions under small perturbations of their initial conditions, since this property is crucial for the successful implementation of a corresponding numerical code.
I began teaching Physics in 1990, and have been fortunate to enjoy a variety of teaching assignments, from introductory physics to optics for majors and solid state physics for graduates. I have been given the opportunity to develop a course in elementary cosmology in which my students and I learn about the current understanding that astrophysicists have on issues regarding the universe at its largest scale, such as when and how it begun if it did, how the galaxies were formed, and what the universe really looks like. We enjoy breath taking slides of astrophysical objects taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, and we watch interesting videos on specific subjects. The course is designed in a qualitative manner, using intuitive notions and analogies to basic experiences, and suits well the interests of liberal arts majors in need of science credits, as well as physics majors looking to expand into an exciting field by passing its mathematical complexity.
Office: 209 Bayer Learning Center
Phone: (412)396-6355
E-mail: simo@mayu.physics.duq.edu
Personal Webpage
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Dr.
Simonetta Frittelli
