Orbital Decay in a 20 Minute Orbital Period Detached Binary with a Hydrogen-poor Low-mass White Dwarf

Abstract

Abstract We report the discovery of a detached double white dwarf binary with an orbital period of ≈20.6 minutes, PTF J053332.05+020911.6. The visible object in this binary, PTF J0533+0209B, is a ≈0.17 M ⊙ mass white dwarf with a helium-dominated atmosphere containing traces of hydrogen. This object exhibits ellipsoidal variations due to tidal deformation, and is the visible component in a single-lined spectroscopic binary with a velocity semi-amplitude of K B = 618.7 ± 6.9 km s−1. We have detected significant orbital decay due to the emission of gravitational radiation, and we expect that the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will detect this system with a signal to noise of after four years of operation. Because this system already has a well-determined orbital period, radial velocity semi-amplitude, temperature, atmospheric composition, surface gravity, and orbital decay rate, a LISA signal will help fully constrain the properties of this system by providing a direct measurement of its inclination. Thus, this binary demonstrates the synergy between electromagnetic and gravitational radiation for constraining the physical properties of an astrophysical object.