Theories of the initial mass function
Astrophysics of Galaxies
2015-05-20 v2 Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
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.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1011.2717,
title = {Theories of the initial mass function},
author = {Patrick Hennebelle and Gilles Chabrier},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1011.2717},
year = {2015}
}
Comments
Invited review for IAU symposium 270 'Computational star formation', Ed., J. Alves, B. Elmegreen, J. Girart, V. Trimble