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The Lazzati Group performs research in theoretical astrophysics. Current research focuses on understanding the physics of Gamma-Ray Bursts and of Cosmic Dust.
Research News
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August 2011: Nature commentary
A News and Views commentary by Prof. Lazzati on the Swift discovery of the tidal disruption of a star by a supermassive black hole appears in Nature. Full article (subscription needed) -
June 2011: carbon dust in SNe
A parametric study of the NCSU Dust Formation Group reveals the consequences of different microphysical properties on the yields of carbonaceous dust formation in type II supernovae. arXiv -
March 2011: Prompt GRB conference
The NCSU Physics department hosted the conference "The prompt activity of gamma-ray bursts: their progenitors, engines, and radiation mechanisms" from March 4 until March 7, 2011. More than 70 international experts participated to the conference. See the program and download the presentations at the conference website. -
March 2011: off-axis photospheres
Numerical simulations performed and analyzed by the NCSU GRB group reveal that the photospheric emission of GRB jets depends on the viewing geometry. Off-axis photospheres are more efficient than on-axis photospheres and their emission qualitatively reproduces the observed correlation between burst energy and typical photon frequency (the so-called Amati correlation). arXiv -
August 2010: X-ray Flares
Numerical simulations performed and analyzed by the NCSU GRB group reveal the origin of the afterglow's X-ray flares. It is found that the feedback of the progenitor star on the relativistic jet triggers luminosity fluctuations with temporal characteristics analogous to the observed flares. arXiv -
June 2010: Dust Nucleation
The role of thermal fluctuations and nanoscale dimensions in the nucleation of dust is explored. A higher nucleation rate ensues. arXiv -
May 2010: Non-thermal spectra from GRB photospheres
The NCSU GRB group studies a new mechanism to explain the spectra of the prompt emission of long-duration GRBs. arXiv -
Feb 2010: GRB Variability pattern
The NCSU GRB group succesfully reproduces the GRB variability pattern with a set of high-resolution simulations of GRB jets and their propagation inside the progenitor star. arXiv -
Nov 2009: Short duration GRBs from collapsar
The NCSU GRB group suggests that a subclass of the short-duration GRB population may originate from collapsar explosions seen at wide angles. If confirmed by observations, this prediction would be a paradigm shift, breaking the old view according to which long GRBs are associated to massive stars and short GRBs are associated to compact object mergers. arXiv -
Jan 2010: NCSU 3D GRB jet in Nature movie
A 3D animation of GRB explosion by NCSU GRB group featured on Nature video. See full film on the Nature Website