The Architecture of Multiplanet Systems as a Tracer of Their Formation Mechanisms

Exoplanets observed by the Kepler telescope exhibit a bimodal, radius distribution, which is known as the radius gap. We explore an origin of the radius gap, focusing on multiplanet systems. Our simple theoretical argument predicts that type I planetary migration produces different configurations of protoplanets with different masses and such different configurations can result in two distinguishable populations of small-sized multiplanet systems. We then perform an observational analysis to verify this prediction. In the analysis, multiple Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests are applied to the observed systems, using the statistical measures that are devised to systematically characterize the properties of multiplanet systems. We find with 99.5% confidence that the observed, small-sized multiplanet systems are divided into two distinct populations. The distinction likely originates from different spatial distributions of protoplanets, which are determined by type I migration and subsequently trigger giant impact. We also show that these distinct populations are separated around the radius gap when the gas surface density of protoplanetary disks is ~10² g cm^-2 in the vicinity of the host stars. This work therefore emphasizes the importance of planetary migration and the inner disk properties.