Fast Radio Bursts from Extragalactic Light Sails

Understand

We examine the possibility that Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) originate from the activity of extragalactic civilizations.

• Our analysis shows that beams used for powering large light sails could yield parameters that are consistent with FRBs.
• The characteristic diameter of the beam emitter is estimated through a combination of energetic and engineering constraints, and both approaches intriguingly yield a similar result which is on the scale of a large rocky planet.
• Moreover, the optimal frequency for powering the light sail is shown to be similar to the detected FRB frequencies.