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In a discussion recently I came across the idea of an antimatter photon rocket, to quote http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_photonic_rocket#Power_sources"
Does anyone know what this is and if it is realistic that it could be practically created for spacecraft propulsion? In compliance with https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=3404598&postcount=4" I'll clarify that my knowledge of physics should best be treated as a layman with some extra knowledge. Maths I haven't studied since school and my knowledge of particle physics is simplistic (electrons orbit nuclei etc).
Looking through various sites via google I've had a few answers as to how gamma rays may be reflected, the general consensus is that it cannot practically be done (multiple layers of shielding may do so but would absorb a lot of energy) however I have come across sites that have mentioned "pure electron gas" but I can't seem to find the original source.A design proposed in the 1950s by Eugen Sänger used positron-electron annihilation to produce gamma rays. Sänger was unable to solve the problem of how to reflect, and collimate the gamma rays created by positron-electron annihilation; however, by shielding the reactions (or other annihilations) and absorbing their energy, a similar blackbody propulsion system could be created. An antimatter-matter powered photon rocket would (disregarding the shielding) obtain the maximum c specific impulse; for this reason, an antimatter-matter annihilation powered photon rocket could potentially be used for interstellar spaceflight.
Does anyone know what this is and if it is realistic that it could be practically created for spacecraft propulsion? In compliance with https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=3404598&postcount=4" I'll clarify that my knowledge of physics should best be treated as a layman with some extra knowledge. Maths I haven't studied since school and my knowledge of particle physics is simplistic (electrons orbit nuclei etc).
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