AM CVn systems as optical, X-ray and GWR sources

Abstract

We discuss the model for the Galactic sample of the AM CVn systems with orbital periods P less than 1500 s, that can be detected in the optical and/or X-ray bands and may be resolved by the gravitational waves detector LISA. At P=3 to 10 min all detectable systems are X-ray sources. At P greater than 10 min most systems are only detectable in the V-band. About 30% of the X-ray sources is also detectable in the V-band. About 10,000 AM CVn systems might be resolved by LISA; this is comparable to the number of detached double white dwarfs that can be resolved. Several hundreds of AM CVn LISA sources might be also detectable in the V- and/or X-ray bands.

3 pages, 2 figures, to appear in proceedings of the IAU Coll. 194 "Compact Binaries in the Galaxy and beyond", La Paz (Mexico), November 17-21, 2003