Precise Parameters for Two LISA Sources

Abstract We present precise parameters for two compact double white dwarf (DWD) binaries, SDSS J232230.20+050942.0 (J2322+0509) and SDSS J063449.92+380352.2 (J0634+3803), with orbital periods of 20 and 26.5 minutes, respectively. These systems will serve as verification sources for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). To significantly improve the electromagnetic (EM) constraints on these two systems and the LISA detectability predictions, we conducted spectroscopic follow-up observations using Hubble Space Telescope/Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph, Keck I/LRIS, and Keck II/Echellette Spectrograph and Imager. Our analysis significantly improves the temperature, surface gravity, and mass constraints for both primary and secondary components in J2322+0509, as well as dynamical properties such as radial velocities and orbital periods in both systems. For J2322+0509, we derive an updated inclination of i = 25 <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" overflow="scroll"> <mml:msubsup> <mml:mrow/> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>−</mml:mo> <mml:mn>3.0</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>+</mml:mo> <mml:mn>4.5</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> </mml:msubsup> </mml:math> deg, while for J0634+3803, we obtain i = 43 <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" overflow="scroll"> <mml:msubsup> <mml:mrow/> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>−</mml:mo> <mml:mn>5.6</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>+</mml:mo> <mml:mn>7.0</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> </mml:msubsup> </mml:math> deg. We assess the detectability of these sources using LDASOFT. Incorporating EM priors on inclination significantly enhances the gravitational-wave signal recovery, reducing uncertainties in amplitude by a factor of 2–4 and shortening the detection time by up to a few months. Our results underscore the importance of multimessenger observations in characterizing DWD binaries and maximizing LISA’s early scientific capabilities.