Collapse of massive magnetized dense cores using radiation-magneto-hydrodynamics: early fragmentation inhibition

TL;DR

This study uses advanced radiation-magneto-hydrodynamics simulations to explore how magnetic fields and radiative transfer jointly inhibit early fragmentation in massive dense cores, influencing the formation of massive stars or clusters.

Contribution

It presents the first self-consistent model combining photon emission, magnetic effects, and high resolution to study early collapse and fragmentation in massive cores.

Findings

Magnetic fields and radiative transfer interplay inhibits initial fragmentation.

Stronger magnetic fields enhance this inhibitory effect.

Magnetic braking increases infall velocity and radiative feedback.

Abstract

We report the results of radiation-magneto-hydrodynamics calculations in the context of high mass star formation, using for the first time a self-consistent model for photon emission (i.e. via thermal emission and in radiative shocks) and with the high resolution necessary to resolve properly magnetic braking effects and radiative shocks on scales <100 AU. We investigate the combined effects of magnetic field, turbulence, and radiative transfer on the early phases of the collapse and the fragmentation of massive dense cores. We identify a new mechanism that inhibits initial fragmentation of massive dense cores, where magnetic field and radiative transfer interplay. We show that this interplay becomes stronger as the magnetic field strength increases. Magnetic braking is transporting angular momentum outwards and is lowering the rotational support and is thus increasing the infall velocity. This enhances the radiative feedback owing to the accretion shock on the first core. We speculate that highly magnetized massive dense cores are good candidates for isolated massive star formation, while moderately magnetized massive dense cores are more appropriate to form OB associations or small star clusters.