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We present H-band VLT/NACO polarized light images of the Herbig Ae/Be starHD169142 probing its protoplanetary disk as close as ~0.1" to the star. Ourimages trace the face-on disk out to ~1.7" (~250 AU) and reveal distinctsub-structures for the first time: 1) the inner disk (<20 AU) appears to bedepleted in scattering dust grains; 2) an unresolved disk rim is imaged at ~25AU; 3) an annular gap extends from ~40 - 70 AU; 4) local brightness asymmetriesare found on opposite sides of the annular gap. We discuss differentexplanations for the observed morphology among which ongoing planet formationis a tempting - but yet to be proven - one. Outside of ~85 AU the surfacebrightness drops off roughly r^{-3.3}, but describing the disk regions between85-120 AU / 120-250 AU separately with power-laws r^{-2.6} / r^{-3.9} providesa better fit hinting towards another discontinuity in the disk surface. Theflux ratio between the disk integrated polarized light and the central star is~4.1 * 10^{-3}. Finally, combining our results with those from the literature,~40% of the scattered light in the H-band appears to be polarized. Our resultsemphasize that HD169142 is an interesting system for future planet formation ordisk evolution studies.

Gaps in the HD169142 protoplanetary disk revealed by polarimetric imaging: Signs of ongoing planet formation?