Francesca Vidotto, Assistant Professor

At the frontier of fundamental physics there is the problem of combining quantum theory and Einstein’s General Relativity. My research focuses on Loop Quantum Gravity, currently the most-developed non-perturbative theory of quantum gravity. This allows to study the domains where quantum gravity is expected to play a significant role, such as for black holes and for the primordial universe.

In the Quantum Gravity research group at Western this research is pursued in an interdisciplinary manner, tackling together questions related to the mathematical structure of the theory, the development of new numerical methods, the phenomenological aspects, and the philosophical questions that the theory raises. Our goal is to develop new theoretical tools that could lead us to understand the quantum aspects of space and time and connect the theory with observations.

Cosmology

• Spinfoam cosmology and spacetime emergence
• Derivation of primordial fluctuations from Loop Quantum Gravity
• Bouncing cosmologies with primordial black holes

Black Holes

• Analytical and numerical study of black-to-white hole transitions
• Astrophysical phenomenology of quantum effects in black holes
• Properties of Planckian remnants

Foundations

• Quantum Information in Quantum Gravity
• Thermodynamics of the quantum gravitational field
• Equivalence between gauge, boundaries, partitions

Book

• Covariant Loop Quantum Gravity (with Carlo Rovelli) An elementary introduction to Quantum Gravity and Spinfoam Theory. Cambridge University Press, 2014.

Recent Publications

• Sina Kazemian, Mateo Pascual, Carlo Rovelli, Francesca Vidotto. "Diffuse emission from black hole remnants" (2023) Class. Quantum Grav. 40 087001
• Pietropaolo Frisoni, Francesco Gozzini, Francesca Vidotto. “Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods for graph refinement in Spinfoam Cosmology” (2023) Class. Quantum Grav. 40 105001
• Francesco Gozzini, Francesca Vidotto. “Primordial Fluctuations From Quantum Gravity” (2021) Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, 7 629466

Complete Publication List:

• INSPIRE! Profile
• Scopus Profile

Undergraduate Courses:
Currently offered:
Astronomy 2022B: Origin of the Universe
Philosophy 2310G: Philosophy of Physics

Other courses taught:
Philosophy 9703A/4311F: Women and Science
Applied Mathematics 2811B: Linear Algebra II

Graduate Courses:
Currently offered:
Physics 9204A: Quantum Gravity

Other courses taught:
Philosophy 9703A/4311F: Women and Science
Applied Mathematics 9625B: Introduction to General Relativity

• Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Foundation of Physics, 2021
• NVH Jubilee Prize awarded by the Network of Female Professors to the most talented young female scientist at Radboud University Nijmegen, 2015
• Veni Fellowship awarded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), 2014
• Rubicon Fellowship awarded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), 2012

• Editorial Board - Foundation of Physics
• Founding Editor - Quantum