Impact of the primordial stellar initial mass function on the 21-cm signal

• DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stac2049
• Publication Date: 2022-07-23T02:58:42Z
• Authors: T Gessey-Jones; N S Sartorio; A Fialkov; G M Mirouh; M Magg; R G Izzard; E de Lera Acedo; W J Handley; R Barkana
• Keywords: Stellar mass; Initial mass function

Properties of the first generation stars (Pop III), such as their initial mass function (IMF), are poorly constrained by observations and have yet to converge between simulations. The cosmological 21-cm signal neutral hydrogen is predicted be sensitive Lyman-band photons produced these stars, thus providing a unique way probe stellar population. In this paper, we investigate impacts Pop III IMF on cosmic dawn via Wouthuysen-Field effect, Lyman-Werner feedback, Ly-alpha heating, CMB heating. We calculate emission spectra star-forming halos for different IMFs integrating over individual metal-free spectra, computed from set evolution histories atmospheres, taking into account variability with age. Through study, therefore relax two common assumptions: that zero-age main sequence rate star representative its lifetime mean rate, can treated instantaneous. Exploring bottom-heavy, top-heavy, intermediate IMFs, show variations in driven lighter than 20 solar masses. For explored models find maximum relative differences 59% global signal, 131% power spectra. Although impact modest, precise modelling necessary accurate prediction interpretation signal.