This is the page for the Plasma Accelerator Group led by Prof. Navid Vafaei-Najafabadi in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Stony Brook University. Our research revolves around the acceleration of lepton beams using plasma waves. To learn more about our research, please visit the Research tab. A list of our publications, including student theses can be found in Publications tab. The News tab highlights the recent happenings, including publication descriptions, awards, etc.

The group is involved in all aspects of plasma accelerators, including experiments and theoretical and simulation studies. Current topics of research include meter-scale plasma generation, study of plasma structures driven by laser pulses and electron beams, as well as the study of the properties of beams accelerated in these structures . As the experimental program requires high intensity laser pulses or dense electron beams, the group collaborates closely with the national laboratories and facilities that can provide such sources, including Accelerator Test Facility (ATF) of the  Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests (FACET II) at the SLAC  National Accelerator Laboratory, and the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) at University of Rochester.

To get in touch, feel free to email the group leader, Navid Vafaei-Najafabadi using the format FirstName.LastName at Stonybrook.edu (make sure to include the dash in the last name). email is preferred method of contact, and is usually answered in 24-48 hours. Students interested in joining this research effort need a solid foundation in electrodynamics, and preferably prior exposure to laser or plasma physics.