The Core Mass Function across Galactic Environments. III. Massive Protoclusters

The stellar initial mass function (IMF) is fundamental for many areas of astrophysics, but its origin remains poorly understood. It may be inherited from the core (CMF) or arise as a result more chaotic, competitive accretion. Dense, gravitationally bound cores are seen in molecular clouds and some observations have suggested that CMF similar shape to IMF, though translated higher masses by factor $\sim3$. Here we measure 28 dense clumps within 3.5 kpc likely central regions massive protoclusters, observed via $1.3\:{\rm{mm}}$ dust continuum emission ALMAGAL project. We identify 222 using dendrogram algorithm with ranging 0.04 $252\:M_{\odot}$. apply completeness corrections flux number recovery, estimated insertion recovery experiments. At masses, final derived well described single power law form $dN/d\:{\textrm{log}}\:M\propto\:M^{-\alpha}$ $\alpha\simeq0.94\pm0.08$. However, find evidence break this power-law behavior between $\sim5$ $15\:M_{\odot}$, which is, our knowledge, first time such has been found distant ($\gtrsim 1$ kpc) ALMA. compare protocluster those same methods G286 sample Infrared Dark Clouds. significantly different, i.e., containing cores, potential indication role environment on IMF.