Parameters of the initial mass function

The solar-neighbourhood initial mass function (IMF) was constructed using data on more than 22x103 stars from the Catalogue of Stellar Identifications with additional data. The IMF slope (Γ=-1.30 ± 0.20) in the mass range 0.4 to 25 MSun was found to be close to the Salpeter's value. Dependence of Γ on the sample limiting magnitude, reddening value, the galactic disk age, rate of star formation as well as adopted calibration scales of stellar masses and ages was studied, and corresponding relations were derived. It was shown that Γ value is most strongly influenced by the stellar mass scale. Thus, for determination of the reliable IMF, it is necessary to improve the mass-luminosity relation