The evolution of CNO isotopes: a new window on cosmic star-formation history and the stellar IMF in the age of ALMA

Understand

We use state-of-the-art chemical models to track the cosmic evolution of the CNO isotopes in the interstellar medium (ISM) of galaxies, yielding powerful constraints on their stellar initial mass function (IMF).

• We re-assess the relative roles of massive stars, asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars and novae in the production of rare isotopes such as 13C, 15N, 17O and 18O, along with 12C, 14N and 16O.
• The CNO isotope yields of super-AGB stars, novae and fast-rotating massive stars are included.
• Having reproduced the available isotope enrichment data in the solar neighbourhood, and across the Galaxy, and having assessed the sensitivity of our models to the remaining uncertainties, e.g.