The Significance and Evolution of the Stellar Initial Mass Function

It remains undisputed in the current star formation paradigm that the structure and evolution of a star are primarily dependent on its mass.The initial mass function (IMF), the probability distribution function of stellar masses at birth, is consequently a vital function to stellar astrophysics.Since its creation in 1955 by Edwin Salpeter, the IMF has undergone much study and modification, but a definite understanding of the origin and form of the stellar IMF remains elusive.This review will consider the contributions of a multitude of astrophysicists to the study of the IMF in a comprehensive overview and pose several avenues for future research.