Planet Formation Imager (PFI): science vision and key requirements

TL;DR

The Planet Formation Imager (PFI) aims to revolutionize ground-based optical astronomy by providing unprecedented angular resolution to study planet formation processes, protoplanet populations, and system architectures across different ages.

Contribution

This paper presents the science vision, key requirements, and technological considerations for the PFI project to advance understanding of planet formation and system evolution.

Findings

PFI can image protoplanets within their Hill spheres.

Simulations show PFI's potential to detect planetary imprints in disks.

PFI will enable detailed characterization of protoplanetary cores.

Abstract

The Planet Formation Imager (PFI) project aims to provide a strong scientific vision for ground-based optical astronomy beyond the upcoming generation of Extremely Large Telescopes. We make the case that a breakthrough in angular resolution imaging capabilities is required in order to unravel the processes involved in planet formation. PFI will be optimised to provide a complete census of the protoplanet population at all stellocentric radii and over the age range from 0.1 to about 100 Myr. Within this age period, planetary systems undergo dramatic changes and the final architecture of planetary systems is determined. Our goal is to study the planetary birth on the natural spatial scale where the material is assembled, which is the "Hill Sphere" of the forming planet, and to characterise the protoplanetary cores by measuring their masses and physical properties. Our science working group has investigated the observational characteristics of these young protoplanets as well as the migration mechanisms that might alter the system architecture. We simulated the imprints that the planets leave in the disk and study how PFI could revolutionise areas ranging from exoplanet to extragalactic science. In this contribution we outline the key science drivers of PFI and discuss the requirements that will guide the technology choices, the site selection, and potential science/technology tradeoffs.