Apparatus and method for positron fueled ramjet operation

An apparatus and method for positron fueled ramjet operation is provided including a convection chamber for a ramjet comprising a rate of absorption of gamma rays that yields a uniform heating of the convection chamber to a temperature sufficient to sustain ramjet operation. The convection chamber may comprise at least one open ended cylinder, a plurality of concentrically arranged cylinders, a plurality of rods, a honeycomb structure or other structures for absorbing gamma rays. A ramjet powered by gamma rays is also provided that includes a housing forming a fluid passageway. A reaction vessel is positioned within the housing, and arranged in flow communication with a source of positrons. A gamma ray absorption assembly is positioned within the fluid passageway so that as positrons interact with electrons and annihilate, gamma rays impinge upon the gamma ray absorption assembly. A method of heating a convection chamber of a ramjet engine is also provided in which a plurality of positrons are annihilated by interaction with an equal plurality of electrons at a controlled rate of annihilation so as to produce a steady emission of gamma rays. The gamma rays are absorbed by a convection chamber of the ramjet engine wherein the convection chamber comprises a rate of absorption of gamma rays that yields a uniform heating of the convection chamber to a temperature sufficient to sustain ramjet operation.