Predicting CO2 Gas Layer Thickness due to Mantle Outgassing in the Exoplanet Census

Abstract

The exchange of molecules between a planet’s interior and exterior is a major component of planetary development and atmospheric formation. Recently, detailed observational studies of exoplanet atmospheres have become possible, enabling robust testing of planetary outgassing models. In this Note, we apply the Dorn et al. stagnant lid model for outgassing to the observed exoplanet census to produce predictions for the atmospheric scale heights that may be observed. We also model atmospheric mass loss due to photoevaporation to determine if the predicted atmospheres would likely be retained and therefore observable.