Effects of data incompletness and metallicity on the mass functions of young LMC star clusters

Abstract

The young globular clusters in the Magellanic Clouds offer a good number statistic and a reasonably wide mass interval which are required for the derivation of any statistically reliable slope of the Initial Mass Function (IMF). Elson et al. (1989) and Mateo (1988) are amongst those few who utilized this potential first. These authors, however, arrive at different conclusions. Elson et al. find quite flat mass function slopes in comparison with the values given by Mateo. Here we present IMF slopes based on B, V CCD photometry for four young LMC clusters, NGC 1711,2004,2164 and 2214 and discuss the effects on them of cluster metallicity and of uncertainties in the incompleteness of the data.