Pregalactic evolution in cosmologies with cold dark matter

We discuss the possibility that the first objects forming in a universe dominated by cold dark matter might influence subsequent structure. We argue that the first objects would be stars forming in clusters of mass $\sim10^5\enspace M_\odot$ which have condensed from the high-σ overdensity peaks in the initial fluctuation spectrum. Two simple mechanisms – photoionization and supernovae – may cause feedback effects which can significantly …