How does the mechanics of antimatter propulsion work? Is the idea that the momentum of the released photons is enough to push you in the opposite direction at relativistic speeds? And that you presumably somehow shield yourself from that radiation through a perfect paraboloidic reflector of some sort?
Yes, as far as I'm aware that's essentially the theory. A pion torch uses pions through a magnetic nozzle to achieve ~10^6 Isp with the downside that lots of prompt radiation (gamma mostly but I'm no expert) goes every direction.
