  The capabilities of a high (~ 10^-9 resel^-1) contrast, narrow-field,
coronagraphic instrument (CGI) on a space-based AFTA-C or probe-class EXO-C/S
mission, conceived to study the diversity of exoplanets now known to exist into
stellar habitable zones, are particularly and importantly germane to symbiotic
studies of the systems of circumstellar (CS) material from which planets have
emerged and interact with throughout their lifetimes. The small particle
populations in "disks" of co-orbiting materials can trace the presence of
planets through dynamical interactions that perturb the spatial distribution of
the light-scattering debris, detectable at optical wavelengths and resolvable
with an AFTA-C or EXO-S/C CGI. Herein we: (1) present the science case to study
the formation, evolution, architectures, diversity, and properties of the
material in the planet-hosting regions of nearby stars, (2) discuss how a CGI
under current conception can uniquely inform and contribute to those
investigations, (3) consider the applicability of CGI anticipated performance
for CS debris system (CDS) studies, (4) investigate, through AFTA CGI image
simulations, the anticipated interpretive fidelity and metrical results from
specific, representative, zodiacal debris disk observations, (5) comment on
specific observational modes and methods germane to, and augmenting, CDS
observations, (6) present, in detail, the case for augmenting the currently
conceived CGI two-band Nyquist sampled (or better) imaging capability with a
full linear-Stokes imaging polarimeter of great benefit in characterizing the
material properties of CS dust (and exoplanet atmospheres, discussed in other
studies).
