EPoS Contribution
EPoS Contribution
Constraints on Star Formation Theories from Studies of Infrared Dark Clouds

Jonathan Tan
University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
We review the physical properties of infrared dark clouds (IRDC) as measured from extinction mapping, molecular line emission and dust continuum emission. We discuss the virial equilibrium of these clouds. Extinction mapping provides information on the distribution of column densities, that can be compared to numerical simulations of turbulence. Finally, I discuss how IRDC studies can constrain the star formation efficiency per freefall time as a function of density.