The Mantis network I. A standard grid of templates and masks for cross-correlation analyses of ultra-hot Jupiter transmission spectra

The atmospheres of ultra-hot Jupiters are highly interesting and unique chemical laboratories. Due to the very high atmospheric temperatures, their chemical composition is dominated by atoms and ions instead of molecules, and the formation of aerosols on their day-sides is unlikely. Thus, for these planets detailed chemical characterisations via the direct detection of elements through high-resolution day-side and transit spectroscopy are possible. This in principle allows the element abundances of these objects to be directly inferred, which may provide crucial constraints on their formation process and evolution history. In the recent past, several chemical species, mostly in the form of atoms and ions, have already been detected using high-resolution spectroscopy in combination with the cross-correlation technique. As part of the Mantis network, we provide a grid of standard templates in this study, designed to be used together with the cross-correlation method. This allows for the straightforward detection of chemical species in the atmospheres of hot extrasolar planets. In total, we calculate high-resolution templates for more than 140 different species across several atmospheric temperatures. In addition to the high-resolution templates, we also provide line masks that just include the position of line peaks and their absorption depths relative to the spectral continuum. A separate version of these line masks also takes potential blending effects with lines of other species into account.

Automated summary

The atmospheres of ultra-hot Jupiters serve as unique chemical laboratories dominated by atoms and ions due to their high temperatures. Detailed chemical characterization and direct detection of elements are possible through high-resolution spectroscopy, providing crucial constraints on their formation and evolution. The Mantis network offers a grid of standard templates and line masks for the straightforward detection of chemical species in the atmospheres of hot extrasolar planets.