My research focuses on understanding the stability of the different forms of carbon in the interior of the Earth over time as function of pressure, temperature and bulk chemistry. To this aim, I perform experiments at high pressure and temperature using devices such as multi anvil press, piston cylinder, diamond anvil cell to simulate extreme pressure and temperature conditions. Particular emphasis is given to the key role that the oxygenation of the Earth's interior has had over the last 4.5 Gy.

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A list of current research topics is shown below.

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- calibration of oxybarometers relevant for the stability of elemental carbon (graphite/diamond) and carbonate within peridotite and eclogite rocks;

- origin of CO2-rich magmas in the mantle and related rocks (carbonatites, carbonate-silicate magmas, kimberlites);

- oxygen fugacity at which elemental carbon and carbonate coexist within mantle assemblages;

- the equilibrium between carbides, diamonds and carbonates in the lower/upper mantle;

- the speciation of Fe in mantle silicates as redox marker;

- the mantle redox state and its link to the accreted building blocks;

- melting temperature of carbonaceous chondrites as function of pressure;

- mineral inclusions trapped in natural diamonds.

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Additional research topics have been developed in the field of experimental magmatology and petrology, as

- carbonate rocks/magma assimilation reactions;

- rheological properties of CO2-rich magmas;

- mineral dissolution in CO2-rich magmas.

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Currently, I am also interested in experiments on the stability of quasicrystals in the Al-Cu-Fe and Al-Fe-Ni systems; as well as the stability of hydrous phases representative of the interior of icy satellites and the behavior of tourmalines at HP-T.

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