Constraining mass transfer models with galactic neutron star–white dwarf binaries as gravitational wave sources

Abstract

ABSTRACT Neutron star–white dwarf (NSWD) binaries are one of the most abundant sources of gravitational waves (GWs) in the Milky Way. These GW sources are the evolutionary products of primordial binaries that experienced many processes of binary interaction. We employ a binary population synthesis method to investigate the properties of Galactic NSWD binaries detectable by the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). In this paper, only the NSWD systems with a COWD or ONeWD component are included. We consider various models related to mass-transfer efficiencies during primordial binary evolution, supernova explosion mechanisms at NS formation, common envelope ejection efficiencies, and critical WD masses that determine the stability of mass transfer between WDs and NSs. Based on our calculations, we estimate that tens to hundreds of LISA NSWD binaries exist in the Milky Way. We find that the detection of LISA NSWD binaries is able to provide profound insights into mass-transfer efficiencies during the evolution of primordial binaries and critical WD masses during mass transfer from a WD to an NS.