Detecting Eccentric Globular Cluster Binaries with LISA

Abstract

The energy carried in the gravitational wave signal from an eccentric binary is spread across several harmonics of the orbital frequency. The inclusion of the harmonics in the analysis of the gravitational wave signal increases the signal-to-noise ratio of the detected signal for binaries whose fundamental frequency is below the galactic confusion-limited noise cut-off. This can allow for an improved angular resolution for sources whose orbital period is greater than 2000 s. Globular cluster sources include possible binary black holes and neutron stars which may have high eccentricities. Cluster dynamics may also enhance the eccentricities of double white dwarf binaries and white dwarf-neutron star binaries over the galactic sources. Preliminary results of the expected signal-to-noise ratio for selected globular cluster binaries are presented.