Simulated planet populations for α Cen B in the baseline scenario outlined in Sect. 3.1, observing at 1.2 μm with an instrument similar to TMT/PFI or TMT/SEIT. Planets above and to the right of the dashed line would be accessible to high-contrast spectroscopic characterization. The star symbol indicates α Cen Bb (assuming a radius of 1.1 R_⊕). Each circle’s size and color refers to a simulated planet’s R_P and T_eq, as indicated in the legend. Most of the simulated planets shown are detected in scattered starlight, though thermal emission contributes to the shortest-period planets (including α Cen Bb).