Pulsar Binaries as Gravitational-Wave Sources: Rate Predictions

Pulsar binaries are important targets for ground-based and future space-borne gravitational-wave (GW) detectors. In order to improve detector design and to assess detector performances, it is a prerequisite to understand the astrophysics, such as the population size or merger rates, of GW sources. Here, we summarize recent results for Galactic merger rates of two known types of pulsar binaries: (a) neutron star - neutron star (NS-NS) and (b) neutron star - white dwarf (NS-WD) binaries. Based on the merger rate estimates, we discuss the prospects for the ground-based interferometers, considering the LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) and the space mission LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna).