A universal energy distribution function for repeating fast radio bursts?

Abstract

Assuming: fast radio bursts (FRBs) are produced by neutron stars at cosmological distances; FRB rate tracks core-collapse supernova rate; and all FRBs repeat with a universal energy distribution function (EDF) dN/dE ~ E^(-beta) with a high-end cutoff at burst energy E_max. We find that observations so far are consistent with a universal EDF with a power-law index 1.5 < beta < 2.2, high-end cutoff E_max/E_0 > 30 and normalization N_0 < 2 per day; where N_0 is the integrated rate above the reference burst energy E_0 = 1.2e39 f_r^(-1) erg (f_r is the radio emission efficiency). Implications of such an EDF are discussed.

5 pages, 4 figures; submitted to MNRAS Letters; comments welcome