exo-Kuiper Belt Research Articles

Massive Debris Disks May Hinder Secular Stirring by Planetary Companions: An Analytic Proof of Concept

Debris disks or exo-Kuiper belts, detected through their thermal or scattered emission from their dusty components, are ubiquitous around main-sequence stars. Since dust grains are short-lived, their sustained presence is thought to require dynamical excitation, i.e., “stirring,” of a massive reservoir of large planetesimals, such that mutual collisions are violent enough to continually supply fresh dust. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain debris disk stirring, with the commonly accepted being long-term, secular planet–debris disk interactions. However, while effective, existing planet-stirring models are rudimentary; namely, they ignore the (self-)gravity of the disk, treating it as a massless reservoir of planetesimals. Here, using a simple analytical model, we investigate the secular interactions between eccentric planets and massive, external debris disks. We demonstrate that the disk gravity drives fast apsidal precession of both planetesimal and planetary orbits, which, depending on the system parameters, may well exceed the planet-induced precession rate of planetesimals. This results in strong suppression of planetesimal eccentricities and thus relative collisional velocities throughout the disk, often by more than an order of magnitude when compared to massless disk models. We thus show that massive debris disks may hinder secular stirring by eccentric planets orbiting near, e.g., the disk’s inner edge, provided the disk is more massive than the planet. We provide simple analytic formulae to describe these effects. Finally, we show that these findings have important implications for planet inferences in debris-bearing systems, as well as for constraining the total masses of debris disks (as done for β Pic).

Deprojecting and constraining the vertical thickness of exoKuiper belts

ABSTRACT Constraining the vertical and radial structure of debris discs is crucial to understanding their formation, evolution, and dynamics. To measure both the radial and vertical structure, a disc must be sufficiently inclined. However, if a disc is too close to edge-on, deprojecting its emission becomes non-trivial. In this paper we show how Frankenstein, a non-parametric tool to extract the radial brightness profile of circumstellar discs, can be used to deproject their emission at any inclination as long as they are optically thin and axisymmetric. Furthermore, we extend Frankenstein to account for the vertical thickness of an optically thin disc (H(r)) and show how it can be constrained by sampling its posterior probability distribution and assuming a functional form (e.g. constant h = H/r), while fitting the radial profile non-parametrically. We use this new method to determine the radial and vertical structures of 16 highly inclined debris discs observed by ALMA. We find a wide range of vertical aspect ratios, h, ranging from 0.020 ± 0.002 (AU Mic) to 0.20 ± 0.03 (HD 110058), which are consistent with parametric models. We find a tentative correlation between h and the disc fractional width, as expected if wide discs were more stirred. Assuming discs are self-stirred, the thinnest discs would require the presence of at least 500-km-sized planetesimals. The thickest discs would likely require the presence of planets. We also recover previously inferred and new radial structures, including a potential gap in the radial distribution of HD 61005. Finally, our new extension of Frankenstein also allows constraining how h varies as a function of radius, which we test on 49 Ceti, finding that h is consistent with being constant.

The formation of wide exoKuiper belts from migrating dust traps

ABSTRACT The question of what determines the width of Kuiper belt analogues (exoKuiper belts) is an open one. If solved, this understanding would provide valuable insights into the architecture, dynamics, and formation of exoplanetary systems. Recent observations by ALMA have revealed an apparent paradox in this field, the presence of radially narrow belts in protoplanetary discs that are likely the birthplaces of planetesimals, and exoKuiper belts nearly four times as wide in mature systems. If the parent planetesimals of this type of debris disc indeed form in these narrow protoplanetary rings via streaming instability where dust is trapped, we propose that this width dichotomy could naturally arise if these dust traps form planetesimals whilst migrating radially, e.g. as caused by a migrating planet. Using the dust evolution software dustpy, we find that if the initial protoplanetary disc and trap conditions favour planetesimal formation, dust can still effectively accumulate and form planetesimals as the trap moves. This leads to a positive correlation between the inward radial speed and final planetesimal belt width, forming belts up to ∼100au over 10 Myr of evolution. We show that although planetesimal formation is most efficient in low-viscosity (α = 10−4) discs with steep dust traps to trigger the streaming instability, the large widths of most observed planetesimal belts constrain α to values ≥4 × 10−4 at tens of au, otherwise the traps cannot migrate far enough. Additionally, the large spread in the widths and radii of exoKuiper belts could be due to different trap migration speeds (or protoplanetary disc lifetimes) and different starting locations, respectively. Our work serves as a first step to link exoKuiper belts and rings in protoplanetary discs.

Seeking Echoes of Circumstellar Disks in Kepler Light Curves

Abstract Light echoes of flares on active stars offer the opportunity for direct detection of circumstellar dust. We revisit the problem of identifying faint echoes in postflare light curves, focusing on debris disks from ongoing planet formation. Starting with simulations, we develop an algorithm for estimating the radial extent and total mass from disk echo profiles. We apply this algorithm to light curves from over 2100 stars observed by NASA’s Kepler mission, selected for multiple short-lived flares in either the long-cadence or short-cadence data sets. While flux uncertainties in light curves from individual stars preclude useful mass limits on circumstellar disks, catalog-averaged light curves yield constraints on disk mass that are comparable to estimates from known debris disks. The average mass in micron- to millimeter-sized dust around the Kepler stars cannot exceed 10% of an Earth mass in exo-Kuiper belts or 10% of a lunar mass in the terrestrial zone. We group stars according to IR excess, based on WISE W1–W3 color, as an indicator for the presence of circumstellar dust. The mass limits are greater for stars with strong IR excess, a hint that echoes are lurking not far beneath the noise in postflare light curves. With increased sensitivity, echo detection will let time-domain astronomy complement spectroscopic and direct-imaging studies in mapping how, when, and where planets form.

Masses for free-floating planets and dwarf planets

The mass and distance functions of free-floating planets (FFPs) would give major insights into the formation and evolution of planetary systems, including any systematic differences between those in the disk and bulge. We show that the only way to measure the mass and distance of individual FFPs over a broad range of distances is to observe them simultaneously from two observatories separated by (to measure their microlens parallax π E) and to focus on the finite-source point-lens (FSPL) events (which yield the Einstein radius θ E). By combining the existing KMTNet 3-telescope observatory with a 0.3 m 4 deg2 telescope at L2, of order 130 such measurements could be made over four years, down to about M ∼ 6 M ⊕ for bulge FFPs and M ∼ 0.7 M ⊕ for disk FFPs. The same experiment would return masses and distances for many bound planetary systems. A more ambitious experiment, with two 0.5 m satellites (one at L2 and the other nearer Earth) and similar camera layout but in the infrared, could measure masses and distances of sub-Moon mass objects, and thereby probe (and distinguish between) genuine sub-Moon FFPs and sub-Moon “dwarf planets” in exo-Kuiper Belts and exo-Oort Clouds.

A visit from an exo-Kuiper Belt fragment

A visit from an exo-Kuiper Belt fragment

Insights into the planetary dynamics of HD 206893 with ALMA

ABSTRACT Radial substructure in the form of rings and gaps has been shown to be ubiquitous among protoplanetary discs. This could be the case in exo-Kuiper belts as well, and evidence for this is emerging. In this paper, we present ALMA observations of the debris/planetesimal disc surrounding HD 206893, a system that also hosts two massive companions at 2 and 11 au. Our observations reveal a disc extending from 30 to 180 au, split by a 27 au wide gap centred at 74 au, and no dust surrounding the reddened brown dwarf (BD) at 11 au. The gap width suggests the presence of a 0.9MJup planet at 74 au, which would be the third companion in this system. Using previous astrometry of the BD, combined with our derived disc orientation as a prior, we were able to better constrain its orbit finding it is likely eccentric ($0.14^{+0.05}_{-0.04}$). For the innermost companion, we used radial velocity, proper motion anomaly, and stability considerations to show its mass and semimajor axis are likely in the ranges 4–100MJup and 1.4–4.5 au. These three companions will interact on secular time-scales and perturb the orbits of planetesimals, stirring the disc and potentially truncating it to its current extent via secular resonances. Finally, the presence of a gap in this system adds to the growing evidence that gaps could be common in wide exo-Kuiper belts. Out of six wide debris discs observed with ALMA with enough resolution, four to five show radial substructure in the form of gaps.

Dust size and spatial distributions in debris discs: predictions for exozodiacal dust dragged in from an exo-Kuiper belt

ABSTRACT The spectral energy distributions of some nearby stars show mid-infrared (IR) excesses from warm habitable zone dust, known as exozodiacal dust. This dust may originate in collisions in a planetesimal belt before being dragged inwards. This paper presents an analytical model for the size distribution of particles at different radial locations in such a scenario, considering evolution due to destructive collisions and Poynting–Robertson (P–R) drag. Results from more accurate but computationally expensive numerical simulations of this process are used to validate the model and fit its free parameters. The model predicts 11 μm excesses (R11) for discs with a range of dust masses and planetesimal belt radii using realistic grain properties. We show that P–R drag should produce exozodiacal dust levels detectable with the Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer (LBTI) ($R_{11} \gt 0.1{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) in systems with known outer belts; non-detection may indicate dust depletion, e.g. by an intervening planet. We also find that LBTI could detect exozodiacal dust dragged in from a belt too faint to detect at far-IR wavelengths, with fractional luminosity f ∼ 10−7 and radius ∼10–80 au. Application to systems observed with LBTI shows that P–R drag can likely explain most (5/9) of the exozodiacal dust detections in systems with known outer belts; two systems (β Uma and η Corvi) with bright exozodi may be due to exocomets. We suggest that the three systems with exozodiacal dust detections but no known belt may have cold planetesimal belts too faint to be detectable in the far-IR. Even systems without outer belt detections could have exozodiacal dust levels $R_{11} \gt 0.04{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ which are problematic for exo-Earth imaging.

Linking the formation and fate of exo-Kuiper belts within Solar system analogues

ABSTRACT Escalating observations of exo-minor planets and their destroyed remnants both passing through the Solar system and within white dwarf planetary systems motivate an understanding of the orbital history and fate of exo-Kuiper belts and planetesimal discs. Here, we explore how the structure of a 40–1000 au annulus of planetesimals orbiting inside of a Solar system analogue that is itself initially embedded within a stellar cluster environment varies as the star evolves through all of its stellar phases. We attempt this computationally challenging link in four parts: (1) by performing stellar cluster simulations lasting 100 Myr, (2) by making assumptions about the subsequent quiescent 11 Gyr main-sequence evolution, (3) by performing simulations throughout the giant branch phases of evolution, and (4) by making assumptions about the belt’s evolution during the white dwarf phase. Throughout these stages, we estimate the planetesimals’ gravitational responses to analogues of the four Solar system giant planets, as well as to collisional grinding, Galactic tides, stellar flybys, and stellar radiation. We find that the imprint of stellar cluster dynamics on the architecture of ≳100 km-sized exo-Kuiper belt planetesimals is retained throughout all phases of stellar evolution unless violent gravitational instabilities are triggered either (1) amongst the giant planets, or (2) due to a close (≪103 au) stellar flyby. In the absence of these instabilities, these minor planets simply double their semimajor axis while retaining their primordial post-cluster eccentricity and inclination distributions, with implications for the free-floating planetesimal population and metal-polluted white dwarfs.

Searching for a dusty cometary belt around TRAPPIST-1 with ALMA

ABSTRACT Low-mass stars might offer today the best opportunities to detect and characterize planetary systems, especially those harbouring close-in low-mass temperate planets. Among those stars, TRAPPIST-1 is exceptional since it has seven Earth-sized planets, of which three could sustain liquid water on their surfaces. Here we present new and deep ALMA observations of TRAPPIST-1 to look for an exo-Kuiper belt which can provide clues about the formation and architecture of this system. Our observations at 0.88 mm did not detect dust emission, but can place an upper limit of 23 µJy if the belt is smaller than 4 au, and 0.15 mJy if resolved and 100 au in radius. These limits correspond to low dust masses of ∼10−5 to 10−2 M⊕, which are expected after 8 Gyr of collisional evolution unless the system was born with a >20 M⊕ belt of 100 km-sized planetesimals beyond 40 au or suffered a dynamical instability. This 20 M⊕ mass upper limit is comparable to the combined mass in TRAPPIST-1 planets, thus it is possible that most of the available solid mass in this system was used to form the known planets. A similar analysis of the ALMA data on Proxima Cen leads us to conclude that a belt born with a mass ≳1 M⊕ in 100 km-sized planetesimals could explain its putative outer belt at 30 au. We recommend that future characterizations of debris discs around low-mass stars should focus on nearby and young systems if possible.

An Exo–Kuiper Belt with an Extended Halo around HD 191089 in Scattered Light

Abstract We have obtained Hubble Space Telescope STIS and NICMOS and Gemini/GPI scattered-light images of the HD 191089 debris disk. We identify two spatial components: a ring resembling the Kuiper Belt in radial extent (FWHM ∼ 25 au, centered at ∼46 au) and a halo extending to ∼640 au. We find that the halo is significantly bluer than the ring, consistent with the scenario that the ring serves as the “birth ring” for the smaller dust in the halo. We measure the scattering phase functions in the 30°–150° scattering-angle range and find that the halo dust is more forward- and backward-scattering than the ring dust. We measure a surface density power-law index of −0.68 ± 0.04 for the halo, which indicates the slowdown of the radial outward motion of the dust. Using radiative transfer modeling, we attempt to simultaneously reproduce the (visible) total and (near-infrared) polarized intensity images of the birth ring. Our modeling leads to mutually inconsistent results, indicating that more complex models, such as the inclusion of more realistic aggregate particles, are needed.

Embedding planetesimals into white dwarf discs from large distances

ABSTRACT The discovery of the intact minor planet embedded in the debris disc orbiting SDSS J1228+1040 raises questions about the dynamical history of the system. Further, the recent passage of the potentially interstellar object 1I/’Oumuamua within the Solar system has re-ignited interest in minor body flux through exoplanetary systems. Here, we utilize the new analytical formalism from Grishin et al. (2019) to estimate the rate at which the gaseous components of typical white dwarf discs trap an exo-planetesimal. We compare the types of captured orbits which arise from planetesimals originating from the interstellar medium, exo-Kuiper belts, and exo-Oort clouds. We find that the rate of interstellar medium injection is negligible, whereas capture of both exo-Kuiper and exo-Oort cloud planetesimals is viable, but strongly size-dependent. For a gaseous disc which extends much beyond its Roche limit, capture is more probable than disruption at the Roche limit. We find that the capture probability linearly increases with the radial extent of the disc. Even in systems without minor planets, capture of smaller bodies will change the disc size distribution and potentially its temporal variability. Our formalism is general enough to be applied to future discoveries of embedded planetesimals in white dwarf debris discs.

Dust spreading in debris discs: do small grains cling on to their birth environment?

ABSTRACT Debris discs are dusty belts of planetesimals around main-sequence stars, similar to the asteroid and Kuiper belts in our Solar system. The planetesimals cannot be observed directly, yet they produce detectable dust in mutual collisions. Observing the dust, we can try to infer properties of invisible planetesimals. Here, we address the question of what is the best way to measure the location of outer planetesimal belts that encompass extrasolar planetary systems. A standard method is using resolved images at millimetre wavelengths, which reveal dust grains with sizes comparable to the observational wavelength. Smaller grains seen in the infrared (IR) are subject to several non-gravitational forces that drag them away from their birth rings, and so may not closely trace the parent bodies. In this study, we examine whether imaging of debris discs at shorter wavelengths might enable determining the spatial location of the exo-Kuiper belts with sufficient accuracy. We find that around M-type stars the dust best visible in the mid-IR is efficiently displaced inwards from their birth location by stellar winds, causing the discs to look more compact in mid-IR images than they actually are. However, around earlier-type stars where the majority of debris discs is found, discs are still the brightest at the birth ring location in the mid-IR regime. Thus, sensitive IR facilities with good angular resolution, such as MIRI on James Webb Space Telescope, will enable tracing exo-Kuiper belts in nearby debris disc systems.

Speeding past planets? Asteroids radiatively propelled by giant branch Yarkovsky effects

Understanding the fate of planetary systems through white dwarfs which accrete debris crucially relies on tracing the orbital and physical properties of exo-asteroids during the giant branch phase of stellar evolution. Giant branch luminosities exceed the Sun's by over three orders of magnitude, leading to significantly enhanced Yarkovsky and YORP effects on minor planets. Here, we place bounds on Yarkovsky-induced differential migration between asteroids and planets during giant branch mass loss by modelling one exo-Neptune with inner and outer exo-Kuiper belts. In our bounding models, the asteroids move too quickly past the planet to be diverted from their eventual fate, which can range from: (i) populating the outer regions of systems out to 10^4-10^5 au, (ii) being engulfed within the host star, or (iii) experiencing Yarkovsky-induced orbital inclination flipping without any Yarkovsky-induced semimajor axis drift. In these violent limiting cases, temporary resonant trapping of asteroids with radii of under about 10 km by the planet is insignificant, and capture within the planet's Hill sphere requires fine-tuned dissipation. The wide variety of outcomes presented here demonstrates the need to employ sophisticated structure and radiative exo-asteroid models in future studies. Determining where metal-polluting asteroids reside around a white dwarf depends on understanding extreme Yarkovsky physics.

The scattered disc of HR 8799

HR~8799 is a young F0-type star with four directly imaged giant planets and two debris belts, one located exterior and another one interior to the region occupied by the planetary orbits. Having an architecture similar to that of our Solar System, but also revealing dissimilarities such as high masses of planets, a huge radial extent and a high mass of the outer debris belt, HR~8799 is considered to be a benchmark to test formation and evolution models of planetary systems. Here we focus on the outer debris ring and its relation to the planets. We demonstrate that the models of the outer disc, proposed previously to reproduce Herschel observations, are inconsistent with the ALMA data, and vice versa. In an attempt to find a physically motivated model that would agree with both observational sets, we perform collisional simulations. We show that a narrow planetesimal belt and a radiation pressure induced dust halo cannot account for the observed radial brightness profiles. A single, wide planetesimal disc does not reproduce the data either. Instead, we propose a two-population model, comprising a Kuiper-Belt-like structure of a low-eccentricity planetesimal population ("the classical Kuiper Belt") and a high-eccentricity population of comets ("scattered disc"). We argue that such a structure of the exo-Kuiper belt of HR~8799 could be explained with planet migration scenarios analogous to those proposed for the Kuiper Belt of the Solar System.

A gap in the planetesimal disc around HD 107146 and asymmetric warm dust emission revealed by ALMA

While detecting low mass exoplanets at tens of au is beyond current instrumentation, debris discs provide a unique opportunity to study the outer regions of planetary systems. Here we report new ALMA observations of the 80-200 Myr old Solar analogue HD 107146 that reveal the radial structure of its exo-Kuiper belt at wavelengths of 1.1 and 0.86 mm. We find that the planetesimal disc is broad, extending from 40 to 140 au, and it is characterised by a circular gap extending from 60 to 100 au in which the continuum emission drops by about 50%. We also report the non-detection of the CO J=3-2 emission line, confirming that there is not enough gas to affect the dust distribution. To date, HD 107146 is the only gas-poor system showing multiple rings in the distribution of millimeter sized particles. These rings suggest a similar distribution of the planetesimals producing small dust grains that could be explained invoking the presence of one or more perturbing planets. Because the disk appears axisymmetric, such planets should be on circular orbits. By comparing N-body simulations with the observed visibilities we find that to explain the radial extent and depth of the gap, it would be required the presence of multiple low mass planets or a single planet that migrated through the disc. Interior to HD 107146's exo-Kuiper belt we find extended emission with a peak at ~20 au and consistent with the inner warm belt that was previously predicted based on 22$\mu$m excess as in many other systems. This warm belt is the first to be imaged, although unexpectedly suggesting that it is asymmetric. This could be due to a large belt eccentricity or due to clumpy structure produced by resonant trapping with an additional inner planet.

How to design a planetary system for different scattering outcomes: giant impact sweet spot, maximizing exocomets, scattered discs

This paper considers the dynamics of scattering of planetesimals or planetary embryos by a planet on a circumstellar orbit. We classify six regions in the planet's mass versus semimajor axis parameter space according to the dominant outcome for scattered objects: ejected, accreted, remaining, escaping, Oort Cloud, depleted Oort Cloud. We use these outcomes to consider which planetary system architectures maximise the observability of specific signatures, given that signatures should be detected first around systems with optimal architectures (if such systems exist in nature). Giant impact debris is most readily detectable for 0.1-10Mearth planets at 1-5au, depending on detection method and spectral type. While A stars have putative giant impact debris at 4-6au consistent with this sweet spot, that of FGK stars is typically <<1au contrary to expectations; an absence of 1-3au giant impact debris could indicate a low frequency of terrestrial planets there. Three principles maximise cometary influx from exo-Kuiper belts: a chain of closely separated planets interior to the belt, none of which is a Jupiter-like ejector; planet masses not increasing strongly with distance (for a net inward torque on comets); ongoing replenishment of comets, possibly by embedded low-mass planets. A high Oort Cloud comet influx requires no ejector and architectures that maximise the Oort Cloud population. Cold debris disks are usually considered classical Kuiper belt analogues. Here we consider the possibility of detecting scattered disk analogues, which could be betrayed by a broad radial profile and lack of small grains, as well as spherical 100-1000au mini-Oort Clouds. Some implications for escaping planets around young stars, detached planets akin to Sedna, and the formation of super-Earths, are also discussed.

Warm exo-Zodi from cool exo-Kuiper belts: the significance of P–R drag and the inference of intervening planets

Poynting-Robertson drag has been considered an ineffective mechanism for delivering dust to regions interior to the cool Kuiper belt analogues seen around other Sun-like stars. This conclusion is however based on the very large contrast in dust optical depth between the parent belt and the interior regions that results from the dominance of collisions over drag in systems with detectable cool belts. Here, we show that the levels of habitable zone dust arising from detectable Kuiper belt analogues can be tens to a few hundreds of times greater than the optical depth in the Solar Zodiacal cloud. Dust enhancements of more than a few tens of `zodi' are expected to hinder future Earth-imaging missions, but relatively few undetectable Kuiper belts result in such levels, particularly around stars older than a few Gyr. Thus, current mid to far-IR photometric surveys have already identified most of the 20-25% of nearby stars where P-R drag from outer belts could seriously impact Earth-imaging. The LBTI should easily detect such warm dust around many nearby stars with outer belts, and will provide insight into currently unclear details of the competition between P-R drag and collisions. Given sufficient confidence in future models, the inevitability of P-R drag means that the non-detection of warm dust where detectable levels were expected could be used to infer additional dust removal process, the most likely being the presence of intervening planets.

PROBING FOR EXOPLANETS HIDING IN DUSTY DEBRIS DISKS: DISK IMAGING, CHARACTERIZATION, AND EXPLORATION WITHHST/STIS MULTI-ROLL CORONAGRAPHY

Spatially resolved scattered-light images of circumstellar (CS) debris in exoplanetary systems constrain the physical properties and orbits of the dust particles in these systems. They also inform on co-orbiting (but unseen) planets, systemic architectures, and forces perturbing starlight-scattering CS material. Using HST/STIS optical coronagraphy, we have completed the observational phase of a program to study the spatial distribution of dust in ten CS debris systems, and one "mature" protoplanetrary disk all with HST pedigree, using PSF-subtracted multi-roll coronagraphy. These observations probe stellocentric distances > 5 AU for the nearest stars, and simultaneously resolve disk substructures well beyond, corresponding to the giant planet and Kuiper belt regions in our Solar System. They also disclose diffuse very low-surface brightness dust at larger stellocentric distances. We present new results inclusive of fainter disks such as HD92945 confirming, and better revealing, the existence of a narrow inner debris ring within a larger diffuse dust disk. Other disks with ring-like sub-structures, significant asymmetries and complex morphologies include: HD181327 with a posited spray of ejecta from a recent massive collision in an exo-Kuiper belt; HD61005 suggested interacting with the local ISM; HD15115 & HD32297, discussed also in the context of environmental interactions. These disks, and HD15745, suggest debris system evolution cannot be treated in isolation. For AU Mic's edge-on disk, out-of-plane surface brightness asymmetries at > 5 AU may implicate one or more planetary perturbers. Time resolved images of the MP Mus proto-planetary disk provide spatially resolved temporal variability in the disk illumination. These and other new images from our program enable direct inter-comparison of the architectures of these exoplanetary debris systems in the context of our own Solar System.

Cold DUst around NEarby Stars (DUNES). First results

We present the first far-IR observations of the solar-type stars delta Pav, HR 8501, 51 Peg and zeta^2 Ret, taken within the context of the DUNES Herschel Open Time Key Programme (OTKP). This project uses the PACS and SPIRE instruments with the objective of studying infrared excesses due to exo-Kuiper belts around nearby solar-type stars. The observed 100 um fluxes from delta Pav, HR 8501, and 51 Peg agree with the predicted photospheric fluxes, excluding debris disks brighter than Ldust/Lstar ~ 5 x 10^-7 (1 sigma level) around those stars. A flattened, disk-like structure with a semi-major axis of ~ 100 AU in size is detected around zeta^2 Ret. The resolved structure suggests the presence of an eccentric dust ring, which we interpret as an exo-Kuiper belt with Ldust/Lstar ~ 10^-5.