Impact of hot exozodiacal dust on the polarimetric analysis of close-in exoplanets

Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, Kiel University, Leibnizstr. 15, 24118 Kiel, Germany
e-mail: kollmann@astrophysik.uni-kiel.de

Received: 30 May 2023
Accepted: 25 July 2023

Abstract

Context. Hot exozodiacal dust (HEZD) found around main-sequence stars through interferometric observations in the photometric bands H to L is located close to the dust sublimation radius, potentially at orbital radii comparable to those of close-in exoplanets. Consequently, HEZD has a potential influence on the analysis of the scattered-light polarization of close-in exoplanets and vice versa.

Aims. We analyze the impact of HEZD on the polarimetric characterization of close-in exoplanets. This study is motivated in particular by the recently proven feasibility of exoplanet polarimetry.

Methods. Applying the 3D Monte Carlo radiative transfer code POLARIS in an extended and optimized version for radiative transfer in exoplanetary atmospheres and an analytical tool for modeling the HEZD, we simulated and compared the polarization characteristics of the wavelength-dependent scattered-light polarization of HEZD and close-in exoplanets. As a starting point for our analysis, we defined a reference model consisting of a close-in exoplanet with a scattered-light polarization consistent with the upper limit determined for WASP-18b, and a HEZD consistent with the near-infrared excess detected for HD 22484 (10 Tau).

Results. The varied parameters are the planetary phase angle (0°–180°), the dust grain radius (0.02 µm−10 µm), the HEZD mass (10⁻¹⁰ M_⊙−10⁻⁸ M_⊙), the orbital inclination (0°−90°), the composition of the planetary atmosphere (Mie and Rayleigh scattering atmosphere), the orbital radius of HEZD (0.02 au−0.4 au), and the planetary orbital radius (0.01 au−0.05 au). The dust grain radius has the strongest influence on the polarimetric analysis due to its significant impact on the wavelength-dependent polarization characteristics and the total order of magnitude of the scattered-light polarization. In certain scenarios, the scattered-light polarization of the HEZD even exceeds that of the close-in exoplanet, for example for a dust grain radius of 0.1 µm, a HEZD mass of 8 × 10⁻¹⁰ M_⊙, an orbital radius of HEZD of 0.04 au and an orbital inclination of 90°.

Conclusions. The presence of HEZD potentially has a significant impact on the polarimetric investigations of close-in exoplanets. Furthermore, interferometric observations are required to better constrain the parameter space for HEZD and thus the possible resulting scattered-light polarization.