Optimizing HWO architectures for distinguishing sub-Neptune size planets as rocky planets, water worlds, or mini-Neptunes from NUV to NIR wavelengths

Sub-Neptune-sized planets are among the most common in our galaxy, yet it is currently unknown what fraction of sub-Neptune sized planets are rocky planets, water worlds, or gas-dominated mini-Neptunes. In addition to helping understand exoplanet formation and diversity, some larger-than-Earth planets with solid surfaces or oceans could support life. The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) could perform atmospheric characterization to distinguish types of sub-Neptunes. We evaluate exoplanet characterization yields for sub-Neptunes utilizing our framework to perform a significant number of end-to-end yield simulations in a multivariate parameter sweep in the NUV, Visible, and NIR. By exploring the wavelength range and spectral quality over a broad architecture space, the multivariate parameter sensitivity reveals the intricacies within the trade space and helps to inform high level science performance requirements for the HWO Solar Systems in Context Working Group.