Construction of Coupled Period-Mass Functions in Extrasolar Planets through the Nonparametric Approach

TL;DR

This paper constructs the first non-parametric coupled period-mass function for extrasolar planets, revealing correlations and implications for planetary formation theories.

Contribution

It introduces a novel non-parametric method to model coupled period-mass distributions in extrasolar planets for the first time.

Findings

Confirmed deficit of massive close-in planets.

Massive planets have larger semi-major axis ranges.

Shapes of mass and period functions vary with each other.

Abstract

Using the period and mass data of two hundred and seventy-nine extrasolar planets, we have constructed a coupled period-mass function through the non-parametric approach. This analytic expression of the coupled period-mass function has been obtained for the first time in this field. Moreover, due to a moderate period-mass correlation, the shapes of mass/period functions vary as a function of period/mass. These results of mass and period functions give way to two important implications: (1) the deficit of massive close-in planets is confirmed, and (2) the more massive planets have larger ranges of possible semi-major axes. These interesting statistical results will provide important clues into the theories of planetary formation.