Gravitational radiation from strongly magnetized white dwarfs

Abstract

The magnetic fields of white dwarfs distort their shape generating an anisotropic moment of inertia. A magnetized white dwarf that rotates obliquely relative to the symmetry axis has a mass quadrupole moment that varies in time, so it will emit gravitational radiation. The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission may be able to detect the gravitational waves from two nearby, rapidly rotating white dwarfs.