Characterizing Extrasolar Planetary Systems

b,d , Sachindev Shenoyb,h, Chris Starka,e, Mark R Swainb,d, Stephen C. Unwinb,d, Edward Wrighti, and Harold W. Yorkeb,d Abstract. The quest to detect and characterize exoplanets, and learn how they form is one of the most exciting science challenges of this century, one that opens new horizons in human knowledge. To meet this challenge new approaches are needed both observationally and theoretically. This paper summarizes powerful new measurement techniques that will aid in this quest. In particular, we describe how dust structures in debris disks will reveal otherwise undetectable planets, how the atmospheres of non-transiting extrasolar gas and ice giant planets can be probed spectroscopically, how observations can be used to measure the gas dissipation timescale in protoplanetary disks, and how it will be possible to understand the mechanism that delivered water to the Earth's surface. Sensitive, high angular resolution measurements in the mid-IR to submillimeter spectral range will be needed to exploit these promising techniques. Section 1 of this paper describes four new measurement techniques, each of which has the potential to improve vastly our understanding of exoplanets and the planet formation process. Section 2 summarizes the measurement capabilities needed to implement these techniques.