Steven Lund

Professor of Physics

About

  • Joined the laboratory in April 2014
  • Accelerator physics
  • Contact information

Education and training

  • BS, Physics Auburn University, 1987
  • PhD, Physics Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1992

Research

Charged particle accelerators have long been the driving
engine of discovery in fundamental areas of physics such
as high-energy physics, nuclear physics, and astrophysics,
as well as vital tools to probe material properties in a wide
variety of manners in applied physics via accelerator-driven
light sources, spallation neutron sources, and microscopes.
Accelerators also play a key role in applications such as
materials processing, medical diagnostics and therapies,
and potential advanced energy sources. This central
role in science and technology has driven the field for
many years, and accelerator physics itself is a vibrant
discipline of physics. Machines represent a tour de force
on the creative use of physics and technology to produce
a plethora of machines based on different concepts/
architectures generating a broad range of beams for
diverse applications. The field produces a rich range
of applied physics problems providing opportunities
for researchers and students to extend advances.

Simulations on the growth of beam phase-space volume
due to violent space-charge induced instabilities.
My field is theoretical accelerator physics emphasizing
analytic theory and numerical modeling. Before arriving
at MSU in 2014 to work at FRIB, I held a joint appointment
at Lawrence Livermore and Berkeley national laboratories
working on physics issues associated with the transport
of beams with high charge intensity, design of accelerator
and trap systems, large- and small-scale numerical
simulations of accelerators, support of laboratory
experiments, and design of electric and magnetic
elements to focus and bend beams. A common theme
in my research is to identify, understand, and control
processes that can degrade the quality of the beam by
increasing phase-space area or can drive particle losses.
Typically, laboratory experiments and support simulations
identify effects, which are then further analyzed with
reduced simulations and analytic theory to understand
and mitigate any deleterious consequences. Graduatelevel
teaching is used to clarify advances and place
developments into context within the broader field.

At FRIB, I am presently seeking physics students with
interests in charged particle dynamics, electromagnetic
theory, and numerical modeling to assist me in simulations
and theory in support of FRIB now under construction at
MSU. The FRIB linear accelerator will deliver exceptionally
high-power beams to support nuclear physics via beams
of rare isotopes produced post-target. This should be one
of the premier accelerator facilities for nuclear physics
and will provide a fertile training ground for the next
generation of accelerator physicists to join this vibrant
field with broad opportunities.

Scientific publications