Implications of Fast Radio Burst Pulse Widths

Abstract

The pulse widths, dispersion measures and dispersion indices of Fast Radio Bursts (FRB) impose coupled constraints that all models must satisfy. We show that if the dispersion measures resulted from propagation through the intergalactic medium at cosmological distances and the pulse widths were a consequence of scattering by single thin screens, then the screens' electron densities were $\gtrsim 20$/cm$^3$, $10^8$ times the mean intergalactic density. This problem is resolved if the radiation scattered close to its source, where high densities are possible. Observation of dispersion indices close to their low density limit of $-2$ sets a model-independent upper bound on the electron density and a lower bound on the size of the dispersive plasma cloud, excluding terrestrial or Solar System origin. The scattering and much of the dispersion measures may be attributed to scattering regions about 1 AU from the sources, with electron densities $\sim 3 \times 10^8$/cm$^3$. The inferred parameters are only marginally consistent; re-examination of the assumed relation between dispersion measure and distance is warranted. Origin in an ionized starburst or protogalaxy is suggested, but statistical arguments exclude compact young SNR in the Galactic neighborhood. An appendix applies these arguments to PSR J1745-2900 at the Galactic Center. We suggest that its pulse width and angular broadening may be reconciled if we are near a caustic or focal point produced by refraction, rather than by the classic thin sheet scattering model.