The massive black hole in M33 X-7 is hidden in the X-ray bright center of the pancake-like accretion disk of matter. The black-hole's hot (blue) and massive star companion is losing mass in a wind that gets pulled and captured by the black hole.
Education
Ph.D. in Physics & Astronomy, Anticipated Summer 2012
Northwestern University, USA
Thesis: Compact Objects in Binary Systems.
Advisor: Prof. Vassiliki Kalogera
M.S. in Physics & Astronomy, Dec. '08
Northwestern University, USA
Advisor: Prof. Vassiliki KalogeraB.S. in Physics, Feb. '06
Universita' degli studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
Thesis: Characterization of the BTeV Microstrip Detector.
Advisors: Dott. Luigi Moroni, Prof. Francesco Ragusa, Prof. Gianluca Alimonti
Research Interests
Tides in close binaries: Non-dissipative apsidal precession due to quasi-static tides, effect of dynamic tides on the orbital evolution, tidal energy dissipation mechanisms, effects on gravitational-wave emission.
Formation and evolution of X-ray binaries
Refereed Publications
On the Rarity of X-Ray Binaries With Wolf-Rayet Companions. Linden, T., Valsecchi, F., Kalogera, V.., The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 748, pp 114 (2012). arXiv:1111.5012
Understanding Compact Object Formation and Natal Kicks. III. The Case of Cygnus X-1. Wong, T., Valsecchi, F., Fragos, T., Kalogera, V.
Tidally-Induced Apsidal Precession in Double White Dwarfs: a new mass measurement tool with LISA. Valsecchi, F., Farr, W. M., Willems, B., Deloye, C.J., Kalogera, V., The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 745, pp 137 (2011). arXiv:1105.4837
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 747, pp 111 (2012). arXiv:1107.5585Formation of the Black-Hole Binary M33 X-7 Via Mass-Exchange in a Tight Massive System.
Valsecchi, F., Glebbeek, E., Farr, W. M., Fragos, T., Willems, B., Orosz, J. A., Liu, J., Kalogera, V., Nature, Volume 468 , pp. 77 - 79 (2010). arXiv:1010.4809On the Maximum Mass of Stellar Black Holes. Belczynski, K., Bulik, T., Fryer, C. L., Ruiter, A., Valsecchi, F., Vink, J. S., Hurley, J. R, The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 714, Issue 2, pp. 1217-1226 (2010). arXiv:0904.2784
First Prototype of a Silicon Micro-Strip Detector With the Data-Driven Readout Chip FSSR2 for a Tracking-Based Trigger System. Dinardo, M.E., Cardoso, G., Hoff, J., Manghisoni, M., Mekkaoui, A., Moroni, L., Ratti, L., Re, V., Valsecchi, F., Yarema, R., Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Volume 572, Issue 1, pp. 388-391 (2007)
Conference Proceedings Publications
Constraining White Dwarf Masses Via Apsidal Precession in Eccentric Double White Dwarf Binaries. Valsecchi, F., Farr, W. M., Willems, B , Deloye C. J., Kalogera, V., in Binary Paths to Type Ia Supernovae Explosions, IAU Conference Proceedings (2011). arXiv:1110.2802
An Evolutionary Model for the Massive Black Hole X-Ray Binary M33 X-7.
Valsecchi, F., Glebbeek, E., Farr, W. M., Fragos, T., Willems, B., Orosz, J. A., Liu, J., Kalogera, V., in Evolution of Compact Binaries, ASP Conference Series, Volume 447, pp. 271 (2011)The Intriguing Evolutionary History of the Massive Black Hole X-Ray Binary M33 X-7.
Valsecchi, F., Glebbeek, E., Farr, W. M., Fragos, T., Willems, B., Orosz, J. A., Liu, J., Kalogera, V., in Binary Star Evolution: Mass Loss, Accretion, and Mergers,AIP Conference Proceedings, Volume 1314, pp. 285-290 (2010). arXiv:1010.4742The Eclipsing Black Hole X-ray Binary M33 X-7: Understanding the Current Properties. Valsecchi,F., Willems, B., Fragos, T., Kalogera, V., in Hot and Cool: Bridging Gaps in Massive Star Evolution, ASP Conference Series, Volume 425, pp. 227 (2010). arXiv:0902.3700
Neutron Stars: Formed, Spun and Kicked.
Kalogera, V., Valsecchi, F., Willems, B., in 40 Years of Pulsars: Millisecond Pulsars, Magnetars and More'', AIP Conference Proceedings, Volume 983, pp. 433-441 (2008). arXiv:0712.2540