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The Theoretical Mass--Magnitude Relation of Low-Mass Stars and its Metallicity Dependence

We investigate the dependence of theoretically generated mass - (absolute magnitude) relations on stellar models. Using up to date physics we compute models in the mass range 0.1 < m < 1M_sun. We compare the solar-metallicity models with our older models, with recent models computed by others, and also with an empirical mass - (absolute magnitude) relation that best fits the observed data. At a given mass below 0.6M_sun the effective temperatures differ substantially from model to model. However taken individually each set of models is in good agreement with observations in the mass - luminosity plane. A minimum in the derivative dm/dM_V at M_V = 11.5, which is due to H_2 formation and establishment of a fully convective stellar interior, is present in all photometric bands, for all models. This minimum leads to a maximum in the stellar luminosity function for Galactic disk stars at M_V = 11.5, M_bol = 9.8. Stellar models should locate this maximum in the stellar luminosity function at the same magnitude as observations. Models which incorporate the most realistic theoretical atmospheres and the most recent equation of state and opacities can satisfy this constraint. These models are also in best agreement with the most recent luminosity - (effective temperature) and mass-luminosity data. Each set of our models of a given metallicity (with 0.2 > [Fe/H] > -2.3) shows a maximum in -dm/dM_bol, which moves to brighter bolometric magnitudes with decreasing metallicity. The change in location of the maximum, as a function of [Fe/H], follows the location of structure in luminosity functions for stellar populations with different metal abundances. This structure seen in all observed stellar populations can be accounted for by the mass--luminosity relation.