Higher harmonics of double white dwarfs in the centihertz band: Linking LISA and DECIGO
Phys. Rev. D 113, 063009 – Published 4 March, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/y1nz-3mt5
Abstract
We investigate the detectability of post-Newtonian higher harmonics from Galactic double white dwarfs in the centihertz band (). Using a synthetic population, we show that, unlike the quadrupole mode, higher harmonics remain undetectable with the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) except for rare nearby systems. In contrast, planned mid-band (decihertz) observatories such as DECIGO and BBO will be able to detect the third harmonic for about 10% of inspiral binaries above , enabling statistical constraints on mass ratios. These results highlight the successive roles of LISA and future decihertz missions in establishing a coherent strategy for space-based gravitational wave astronomy.