Optimization of Radio Array Telescopes to Search for Fast RadioBursts

Abstract

We present projected Fast Radio Burst detection rates from surveys carried out using a set of hypothetical close-packed array telescopes. The cost efficiency of such a survey falls at least as fast as the inverse square of the survey frequency. There is an optimum array element effective area in the range 0 to 25 ${\mathrm{m}}^2$. If the power law index of the FRB integrated source count versus fluence $\hat{I}\pm =dlnR/dlnF>-1$ the most cost effective telescope layout uses individual dipole elements, which provides an all-sky field of view. If $\hat{I}\pm <-1$ dish arrays are more cost effective.