Microlensing Constraints on the Frequency of Jupiter Mass Planets

TL;DR

Microlensing observations over several years suggest that Jupiter-mass planets with specific orbital separations are relatively rare, occurring in less than one-third of systems, based on null detection results.

Contribution

This study provides the first constraints on the frequency of Jupiter-mass planets at 1.5-3 AU using microlensing data with nearly 100 monitored events.

Findings

Less than 1/3 of systems host Jupiter-mass planets at 1.5-3 AU

No clear planetary signatures detected in the sample

Similar limits apply to 3 Jupiter-mass planets between 1-4 AU

Abstract

Microlensing is the only technique likely, within the next 5 years, to constrain the frequency of Jupiter-analogs. The PLANET collaboration has monitored nearly 100 microlensing events of which more than 20 have sensitivity to the perturbations that would be caused by a Jovian-mass companion to the primary lens. No clear signatures of such planets have been detected. These null results indicate that Jupiter mass planets with separations of 1.5-3 AU occur in less than 1/3 of systems. A similar limit applies to planets of 3 Jupiter masses between 1-4 AU.