The SHARDDS survey: limits on planet occurrence rates based on point sources analysis via the Auto-RSM framework

The SHARDDS survey: limits on planet occurrence rates based on point sources analysis via the Auto-RSM framework

Context. In the past decade, high contrast imaging allowed the detection and characterisation of exoplanets, brown dwarfs, and circumstellar disks. Large surveys provided new insights about the frequency and properties of massive sub-stellar companions with separations from 5 to 300 au.

Aims. In this context, our study aims to detect and characterise potential exoplanets and brown dwarfs within debris disks, considering a diverse population of stars with respect to stellar age and spectral type. We present in this paper the analysis of a set of H-band images taken by the VLT/SPHERE instrument in the context of the SHARDDS survey. This survey gathers 55 main-sequence stars within 100 pc, known to host a high-infrared-excess debris disk, allowing us to potentially better understand the complex interactions between substellar companions and disks.

Methods. We rely on the Auto-RSM framework to perform an in-depth analysis of the considered targets, via the computation of detection maps and contrast curves. A clustering approach is used to divide the set of targets into multiple subsets, in order to reduce the computation time by estimating a single optimal parametrisation for each considered subset. Detection maps generated with different approaches are used along with contrast curves to identify potential planetary companions. Planet detection and planet occurrence frequencies are derived from the generated contrast curves, relying on two well-known evolutionary models, namely AMES-DUSTY and AMES-COND. Finally, we study the influence of the observing conditions and observing sequence characteristics on the performance measured in terms of contrast.

Results. The use of Auto-RSM allows us to reach high contrast at short separations, with a median contrast of 105 at 300 mas, for a completeness level of 95%. A new planetary characterisation algorithm, based on the RSM framework, is developed and tested successfully, showing a higher astrometric and photometric precision for faint sources compared to standard approaches. Apart from the already known companion of HD 206893 and two point-like sources around HD 114082 which are most likely background stars, we did not detect any new companion around other stars. A correlation study between achievable contrasts and parameters characterising high contrast imaging sequences highlights the importance of the Strehl ratio, wind speed at a height of 30 meters, and presence of wind-driven halo to define the quality of high contrast images. Finally, planet detection and occurrence rate maps are generated and show, for the SHARDDS survey, a high sensitivity between 10 and 100 au for substellar companions with masses >10 MJ.