Dr. Richard Klein

Biography

Richard Klein pioneered methods in radiative transfer with adaptive mesh refinement applied to computational astrophysics over decades, particularly in the application of star formation. He played a central role in developing the radiation-driven implosion model that induces star formation, contributing to the leading theory of stellar winds from hot stars. Klein founded the Berkeley Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics group alongside Chris McKee. He leads a research group that develops scaled laboratory laser astrophysical experiments. His research interests involve understanding the role of coupled radiation-gas dynamical flows in a wide range of astrophysical phenomena, utilizing extremely high-resolution simulations of Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR). This includes dynamics within the interstellar medium, such as investigations into triggering star formation by ionization-shock fronts in molecular clouds and the interactions of supernova shock waves with interstellar medium clouds, as well as cloud-cloud hydrodynamic collisions. His work addresses star formation mechanisms, applying state-of-the-art parallel AMR magneto-radiation-hydrodynamics code ORION to study the gravitational collapse and fragmentation of turbulent molecular clouds, leading to the formation of molecular cores, stars, and stellar clusters, including the feedback mechanisms of radiation and protostellar winds. He also studies non-ideal MHD turbulence's role in star formation and investigates various astrophysical phenomena through scaled laboratory experiments on state-of-the-art laser platforms.

Research Interests

Experience