Theories of the initial mass function

Abstract

We review the various theories which have been proposed along the years to explain the origin of the stellar initial mass function. We pay particular attention to four models, namely the competitive accretion and the theories based respectively on stopped accretion, MHD shocks and turbulent dispersion. In each case, we derive the main assumptions and calculations that support each theory and stress their respective successes and failures or difficulties.

Invited review for IAU symposium 270 'Computational star formation', Ed., J. Alves, B. Elmegreen, J. Girart, V. Trimble

References in corpus (10)

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Cited by in corpus (5)

• Variations of the stellar initial mass function in the progenitors of massive early-type galaxies and in extreme starburst environments
• The Dawes Review 8: Measuring the Stellar Initial Mass Function
• Analytical theory for the initial mass function: III time dependence and star formation rate
• The molecular gas content of the Pipe Nebula I. Direct evidence of outflow-generated turbulence in B59?
• Implementation of stellar heating feedback in simulations of star cluster formation: effects on the initial mass function