White dwarf merging and the emission of gravitational waves

摘要

We have computed, using an SPH code, the process of merging of two white dwarfs with different masses and chemical compositions. We have found that, although relatively high temperatures are attained during the most violent phase of the merging process, the thermonuclear flame is rapidly quenched. Special attention has been paid to the emission of gravitational radiation. We have found that the signature of the merging is relatively weak.