Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 December 2006
This paper presents the hydrodynamic efficiency of ablation plasma produced by a pulsed ion beam, as obtained on the basis of the ion beam–target interaction concept. We used a one-dimensional hydrodynamic model to explain the ablation acceleration behavior. Hydrodynamic variables are evaluated in terms of ablation velocity, conversion efficiency and ablation efficiency. We obtained 18% value for the energy conversion efficiency, while an ablation efficiency of about 70% is achieved at an ion-beam energy density of 60J cm$^{-2}$ (beam power density of $\approx$1 GW cm$^{-2}$). A thrust producing capability is also investigated.