Electromagnetic fields in compact binaries: post-Newtonian wave generation and application to double white dwarfs systems

Abstract

The aim of this work is twofold: (i) to properly define a wave-generation formalism for compact-supported sources embedded in Einstein-Maxwell theory, relying on matched post-Newtonian and multipolar-post-Minkowskian expansions; (ii) to apply this formalism (which is valid for any type of post-Newtonian sources) to the case of two stars with constant and aligned magnetic dipoles, by computing the fluxes of energy and angular momentum to the next-to-leading order, as well as the gravitational amplitude modes. Assuming eccentric orbits, we derive the evolution of orbital parameters, as well as the observables of the system, notably the gravitational phase for quasi-circular orbits. Finally, we give some numerical estimates for the contribution of the magnetic dipoles for some realistic systems.