Exoplanet System Architecture: Sculpting the Inner Regions

Abstract

In this study, we seek to improve our understanding of the competing roles of disk-driven and planet-planet dynamical migration in sculpting planetary system architecture in the inner $\lesssim 1.5$ au of protoplanetary disks. Over a range of host star masses, we compare the orbit semimajor axis values of transiting multi-planet and resonant systems to observationally-derived estimates of protoplanetary disk inner truncation radius $R_i$, corotation radius $R_{co}$, and dust sublimation radius $R_{dust}$. We find that disk-driven migration is primarily responsible for setting the inner edge of planetary systems near $R_{co}$ and that subsequent dynamical migration shapes the distribution of planetary semimajor axis values over the range $\approx 20-300$ $R_{\star }$. If multi-planet systems form in a way similar to the resonant chain systems, either a zone of highly efficient planet formation at $\gtrsim 100R_{\star }$, followed by subsequent disk-driven migration, is implied, or a modified in-situ mechanism operating over a region from $\simeq 15-100R_{\star }$ and incorporating disk-driven migration is needed. There are indications that after disk dispersal, dynamical migration causes a subset of planets to migrate to locations inside $R_{co}$.

submitted to AAS Journals