Properties of the short period CoRoT-planet population I: Theoretical planetary mass spectra for a population of stars of 0.8 to 2 solar masses and orbital periods of less then 20 days

Abstract

We study the planet populations in the discovery window of the CoRoT-space-telescope scheduled for launch on December 27th. We base the prediction on `first principles' calculations of planet formation in the framework of the planetesimal hypothesis. Aims: To provide a-priori planetary initial mass functions for confrontation with the CoRoT-planet discoveries in the entire range of sensitivity of the CoRoT instrument, i.e. for all giant planets and down to terrestrial planet masses. Methods: We construct a comprehensive set of static complete-equilibrium core-envelope protoplanets with detailed equations of state and opacity and radiative transfer by convection and radiation. Protoplanets are calculated for host-star masses of 0.8 to 2 solar masses and orbital periods of 1 to 16 days. We subsequently check the stability of the planetary population by a series of methods. Results: We find the static planetary populations to be stable and thus a plausible ensemble to predict the planetary IMF for orbital periods in the specified range. Conclusions: We predict bimodal planetary initial mass functions with shapes depending on orbital period. The two main maxima are around a Jupiter mass and about 50 earth masses. We predict an abundant population of Hot Neptunes and a large population of planets that fill the solar-system gap of planetary masses between Neptune and Saturn.