Lin, Min-Kai 林明楷

Research Fellow

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Office: ASMAB 1213

Email: mklinasiaa.sinica.edu.tw

3917957/min-kai-lin/

0000-0002-8597-4386

My Publications from ADS

Complete List of Publications

Research Interests

Min-Kai is interested in theoretical astrophysics. He specializes in astrophysical fluid dynamics applied to planet formation and evolution. His research topics include: protoplanetary disks, hydrodynamic and magneto-hydrodynamic instabilities, planet migration, accretion disk vortices, and dust dynamics. He employs a combination of analytical methods and large-scale numerical simulations.

Planet migration in dusty protoplanetary disks

Vertical shear instability in magnetized protoplanetary disks

Vortex formation and evolution at planet gaps

Puffed up dust at planet gaps

Dust settling in turbulent protoplanetary disks

Finding planets using Machine Learning

Streaming instabilities in stratified protoplanetary disks

Making planetesimals in turbulent disks is not easy

Dynamics of Protoplanetary Disk

Dust-free modeling of dusty protoplanetary disks

3D vortices in self-gravitating discs

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Positions

• Research Fellow, ASIAA (2026~present)
• Center Scientist and Co-ordinator, NCTS (Astrophysics) (2021~present)
• Member, Institute for Advanced Study (2026~2027)
• Visiting Professor, Tsung-Dao Lee Institute (2025~2026)
• Associate Research Fellow, ASIAA (2021~2026)
• Assistant Research Fellow, ASIAA (2016~2021)
• Steward Theory Fellow, University of Arizona (2014~2016)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (2011~2014)

Education

• PhD, Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Cambridge (2008~2011)
• BA and MSci, Natural Sciences (Astrophysics), University of Cambridge (2004~2008)

Honors & Awards

• Outstanding Research Award, NSTC (2024)
• Early-Career Investigator Research Achievement Award, Academia Sinica (2023)
• The Young Scholars' Creativity Award, Foundation for the Advancement of Outstanding Scholarship (2022)
• Young Theoretical Scholar Award, National Center for Theoretical Sciences (2021)
• Outstanding Young Physicist, The Physical Society of Taiwan (2020)
• Academia Sinica Career Development Award (2020)
• Academic Sinica Initial Employment Academic Research Award (2016)
• Steward Observatory Prize Fellowship in Theoretical and Computational Astrophysics, University of Arizona (2014)
• CITA Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Toronto (2011)
• Smith Rayleigh Knight Prize, University of Cambridge (2010)
• Institute of Astronomy Prize, University of Cambridge (2008)
• Overseas Research Scholarship, University of Cambridge (2008)
• Isaac Newton Studentship, University of Cambridge (2008)
• St. John’s College Benefactors’ Scholarship, University of Cambridge (2008)
• St. Catharine’s College Awarded Bursary, University of Cambridge (2007)
• St. Catharine’s College JS Wilson Prize for Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge (2006~2008)
• St. Catharine’s College Book Prize for Academic Distinction, University of Cambridge (2005~2008)
• St. Catharine’s College Skerne Scholarship, University of Cambridge (2005~2008)

Professional and Academic Societies

• The Physical Society of Taiwan (2020)
• The Astronomical Society of the Republic of China (Taiwan) (2018)
• International Astronomical Union (2018)
• Fellow of the Cambridge Overseas Society, University of Cambridge (2008)

Journal Papers affiliated with ASIAA(49)

1. Hsu C-Y; Li Z-Y; Hu X; Tu Y; Lin M-K, "Dust and Gas Transport in Substructured Nonideal MHD Wind-Launching Disks with Embedded Planets", MNRAS: 551(2), id.stag1479 (20 pp), Sep, 2026 [SCI] ( ADS | Fulltext )
2. Bi J; Lin M-K, "Puffed-up Edges of Planet-opened Gaps in Protoplanetary Disks. II. The Role of the Planet's Orbital Eccentricity", ApJ: 1006(2), id.183 (14 pp), Aug, 2026 [SCI] ( ADS | Fulltext )
3. Pierens A; Lin M-K, "Streaming instabilities in weakly ionized protoplanetary discs: the Ambipolar Streaming Instability (AmSI)", A&A: 709, id.A252 (12 pp), May, 2026 [SCI] ( ADS | Fulltext )
4. Lehmann M; Lin M-K, "Planet−Disk Interactions and the Convective Overstability. I. Low-mass Planets", ApJ: 1000(2), id.293 (24 pp), Apr, 2026 [SCI] ( ADS | Fulltext )
5. Su W-S; Smallwood JL; Lin M-K; Yang C-C; Cuello N, "Evolution of dust in a protoplanetary disc driven by stellar flybys: implications for the streaming instability", MNRAS: 547(2), id.stag173 (19 pp), Apr, 2026 [SCI] ( ADS | Fulltext )
6. Gerbig K; Lin M-K, "Diffusive Instabilities in Dusty Disks: Linear Growth and Nonlinear Breakdown", ApJ: 1000(1), id.135 (10 pp), Mar, 2026 [SCI] ( ADS | Fulltext )
7. Coulson IM; Kuan Y-J; Charnley SB; Cordiner MA; Chuang Y-L; Lee Y-N; Lin M-K; Milam SN; Pimpanuwat B; Roth NX; Żółtowski M, "JCMT detection of HCN emission from 3I/ATLAS at 2.1 AU", MNRAS: 546(2), id.stag063 (4 pp), Feb, 2026 [SCI] ( ADS | Fulltext )
8. Pierens A; Collin-Dufresne T; Lin M-K; DiFolco E, "Coexistence of coagulation and streaming instabilities in protoplanetary disks", A&A: 706, id.A67 (14 pp), Feb, 2026 [SCI] ( ADS | Fulltext )
9. Cui C; Gerbig K; Li Y-P; Xu Z; Li R; Yu C; Lin M-K; Yuan F, "Dust Growth in ALMA Rings: II. Dusty Rossby Wave Instability", ApJ: 986(1), id.86 (18 pp), Jun, 2025 [SCI]
10. Hammer M; Lin M-K, "An MHD-based model for wind-driven disc–planet interactions", MNRAS: 540(2), id.1507 (20 pp), Jun, 2025 [SCI]
11. Hsu C-Y; Li Z-Y; Tu Y; Hu X; Lin M-K, "Dust Concentration Via Coupled Vertical Settling and Radial Migration in Substructured Non-Ideal MHD Discs and Early Planet Formation", MNRAS: 540(1), id.1363 (15 pp), Jun, 2025 [SCI]
12. Lehmann M; Lin M-K, "Convective Overstability in Radially Global Protoplanetary Disks. II. Impact on Planetesimal Formation", ApJ: 983(2), id.135 (20 pp), Apr, 2025 [SCI]
13. Cui C; Tripathi A; Yu C; Lin M-K; Youdin A, "Rossby wave instability in magnetized protoplanetary discs - I. Azimuthal or vertical B-fields", MNRAS: 537(2), 1973-1983, Feb, 2025 [SCI]
14. Lin M-K; Lehmann M, "Dust Dynamics in Radially Convective Regions of Protoplanetary Disks", ApJ: 980(1), 94, Feb, 2025 [SCI]
15. Smallwood JL; Nealon R; Yen H-W; Pinte C; Longarini C; Aly H; Lin M-K, "Observational Signatures of Dust Traffic Jams in Polar-Aligning Circumbinary Disks", ApJL: 976(2), id.L23 (9 pp), Dec, 2024 [SCI]
16. Wang S-C; Lin M-K, "Streaming instabilities in accreting protoplanetary disks: A parameter study", ApJ: 976(2), id.157 (13 pp), Dec, 2024 [SCI]
17. Smallwood JL; Lin M-K; Nealon R; Aly H; Longarini C, "Polar alignment of a dusty circumbinary disc-II. Application to 99 Herculis", MNRAS: 534(4), 4018-4030, Nov, 2024 [SCI]
18. Hsu C-Y; Li Z-Y; Tu Y; Hu X; Lin M-K, "Rossby wave instability and substructure formation in 3D non-ideal MHD wind-launching disks", MNRAS: 533(3), 2980-2996, Sep, 2024 [SCI]
19. Bi J; Lin M-K, "Shoulder of Dust Rings Formed by Planet–Disk Interactions", ApJ: 971(1), id.76 (10pp), Aug, 2024 [SCI]
20. Lehmann M; Lin M-K, "Convective Overstability in Radially Global Protoplanetary Disks. I. Pure Gas Dynamics", ApJ: 970(1), id.15 (25 pp), July, 2024 [SCI]
21. Smallwood JL; Lin M-K; Aly H; Nealon R; Longarini C, "Polar alignment of a dusty circumbinary disc - I. Dust ring formation", MNRAS: 532(1), 1068-1086, July, 2024 [SCI]
22. Gerbig K; Lin M-K; Lehmann M, "Filament formation due to diffusive instabilities in dusty protoplanetary disks", ApJ: 961(2), id.183 (18 pp), Feb, 2024 [SCI]
23. Wu Y; Lin M-K; Cui C; Krapp L; Lee Y-N; Youdin AN, "Dust Dynamics in Hall-effected Protoplanetary Disks. I. Background Drift Hall Instability", ApJ: 962(2), id.173 (17pp), Feb, 2024 [SCI]
24. Hammer M; Lin M-K, "How to form compact and other longer-lived planet-induced vortices: VSI, planet migration, or re-triggers, but not feedback", MNRAS: 525(1), 123-149, Oct, 2023 [SCI]
25. Wu Y; Chen Y-X; Jiang H; Dong R; Macías E; Lin M-K; Rosotti GP; Elbakyan V, "Distinguishing magnetized disc winds from turbulent viscosity through substructure morphology in planet-forming discs", MNRAS: 523(2), 2630-2640, August, 2023 [SCI]
26. Lehmann M; Lin M-K, "Instabilities in dusty non-isothermal protoplanetary discs", MNRAS: 522(4), 5892-5930, July, 2023 [SCI]
27. Lesur G; Ercolano B; Flock M; Lin MK; Yang CC; Barranco JA; Benitez-Llambay P; Goodman J; Johansen A; Klahr H; Laibe G; Lyra W; Marcus P; Nelson RP; Squire J; Simon JB; Turner N; Umurhan OM; Youdin AN, "Hydro-, Magnetohydro-, and Dust-Gas Dynamics of Protoplanetary Disks", Protostars and Planets: VII (ASP Conference Series, 534), 465 (32pp), July, 2023
28. Bi J; Lin M-K; Dong R, "Gap-opening Planets Make Dust Rings Wider", ApJ: 942(2), id.80 (13pp), Jan, 2023 [SCI]
29. Hsu C-Y; Lin M-K, "Nonlinear Evolution of Streaming Instabilities in Accreting Protoplanetary Disks", ApJ: 937(2), id.55 (17 pp), Oct, 2022 [SCI]
30. Auddy S; Dey R; Lin M-K; Carrera D; Simon JB, "Using Bayesian Deep Learning to Infer Planet Mass from Gaps in Protoplanetary Disks", ApJ: 936(1), id.93 (11pp), Sep, 2022 [SCI]
31. Gu P-G; Chen C-Y; Shen E (Shen, Emma); Yen C-C (Yen, Chien-Chang), Lin MK, "Revealing the Drag Instability in One-fluid Nonideal Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations of a 1D Isothermal C-shock", ApJ: 935(2), id.95 (16pp), Aug, 2022 [SCI]
32. Lehmann M; Lin MK, "Impact of local pressure enhancements on dust concentration in turbulent protoplanetary discs", A&A: 658, id.A156 (28pp), Feb, 2022 [SCI]
33. Lin M-K; Hsu C-Y, "Streaming Instabilities in Accreting and Magnetized Laminar Protoplanetary Disks", ApJ: 926(1), id.14 (24pp), Feb, 2022 [SCI]
34. Auddy S; Dey R; Lin M-K; Hall C, "DPNNet-2.0 Part I: Finding hidden planets from simulated images of protoplanetary disk gaps", ApJ: 920(1), id.3 (12pp), Oct, 2021 [SCI]
35. Cui C; Lin M-K, "On the vertical shear instability in magnetized protoplanetary discs", MNRAS: 505(2), 2983-2998, Aug, 2021 [SCI]
36. Hammer M; Lin M-K; Kratter KM; Pinilla P, "Which planets trigger longer lived vortices: low-mass or high-mass?", MNRAS: 504(3), 3963-3985, Jul, 2021 [SCI]
37. Bi J; Lin M-K; Dong R, "Puffed-up Edges of Planet-opened Gaps in Protoplanetary Disks. I. Hydrodynamic Simulations", ApJ: 912(2), id.107 (10pp), May, 2021 [SCI]
38. Lin M-K, "Stratified and Vertically Shearing Streaming Instabilities in Protoplanetary Disks", ApJ: 907(2), id.64 (20pp), Feb, 2021 [SCI]
39. Auddy S; Lin M-K, "A Machine Learning Model to Infer Planet Masses from Gaps Observed in Protoplanetary Disks", ApJ: 900(1), id.62 (12pp.), Sep, 2020 [SCI]
40. Hsieh H-F; Lin M-K, "Migrating Low-Mass Planets in Inviscid Dusty Protoplanetary Discs", MNRAS: 497(2), 2425-2441, Jul, 2020 [SCI]
41. Chen Kan; Lin M-K, "How Efficient Is the Streaming Instability in Viscous Protoplanetary Disks?", ApJ: 891(2), id.132 (17pp.), Mar, 2020 [SCI]
42. Pierens A; Lin M-K; Raymond SN, "Vortex instabilities triggered by low-mass planets in pebble-rich, inviscid protoplanetary discs", MNRAS: 488(1), 645-659, Sep, 2019 [SCI]
43. Lin M-K, "Dust settling against hydrodynamic turbulence in protoplanetary discs", MNRAS: 485(4), 5221-5234, Jun, 2019 [SCI]
44. Hammer M; Pinilla P; Kratter KM; Lin M-K, "Observational diagnostics of elongated planet-induced vortices with realistic planet formation time-scales", MNRAS: 482(3), 3609-3621, 2019 [SCI]
45. Pierens A; Lin M-K, "On the evolution of vortices in massive protoplanetary discs", MNRAS: 479(4), 4878-4890, Oct, 2018 [SCI]
46. Chen J-W; Lin M-K, "Dusty disc-planet interaction with dust-free simulations", MNRAS: 478(2), 2737-2752, Aug, 2018 [SCI]
47. Lin M-K; Pierens A, "Vortex survival in 3D self-gravitating accretion discs", MNRAS: 478(1), 575-591, July, 2018 [SCI]
48. Lin M-K; Youdin AN, "A Thermodynamic View of Dusty Protoplanetary Disks", ApJ: 849(2), 129, Nov 10, 2017 [SCI]
49. Hammer M; Kratter KM; Lin M-K, "Slowly-growing gap-opening planets trigger weaker vortices", MNRAS: 466(3), 3533-3543, April, 2017 [SCI]