First Light: A Brief Review
arXiv:1201.4820
Abstract
The first stars in the universe are thought to be massive, forming in dark matter halos with masses around 10^6 solar masses. Recent simulations suggest that these metal-free (Population III) stars may form in binary or multiple systems. Because of their high stellar masses and small host halos, their feedback ionizes the surrounding 3 kpc of intergalactic medium and drives the majority of the gas from the potential well. The next generation of stars then must form in this gas-poor environment, creating the first galaxies that produce the majority of ionizing radiation during cosmic reionization. I will review the latest developments in the field of Population III star formation and feedback and its impact on galaxy formation prior to reionization. In particular, I will focus on the numerical simulations that have demonstrated this sequence of events, ultimately leading to cosmic reionization.
15 pages, 4 figures, proceedings for the Frank N. Bash Symposium, October 9-11, 2011
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