Attainability of high velocities for impact ignition

Abstract

To reach the flyer plate velocities in excess of 1000km/sec required for impact ignition, it is proposed to combine the ablation acceleration of a dense hydrogen jet by its isentropic compression in a convergent Prandtl-Meyer flow, magnetically insulated by the Nernst effect against the wall confining the flow to reduce friction losses. A flyer plate placed at the front of the flow can there be accelerated to much higher velocities.