Momentum transfer by an internal source of ionizing radiation: an important feedback process during galaxy formation?

Abstract

The role of momentum transfer ('radiation pressure') due to an internal source of ionizing radiation for the formation of baryonic structures is investigated. Fully ionized, self-gravitating gaseous objects can be radiation-pressure-supported on a characteristic length scale D_rp~100 pc-3 kpc. On smaller scales momentum transfer due to ionizing radiation will be the dominant force, and for spherical collapsing objects of mass