SIMION PC/PS2 electrostatic lens design program

TLDR

SIMION PC/PS2 4.02 is a PC program for designing and analyzing charged‑particle lenses, ion transport systems, and mass spectrometers. The program lets users interactively design geometries and operating conditions via a graphics interface, then computes particle trajectories with adaptive look‑ahead algorithms and supports user‑written subprograms for custom calculations. Its intuitive graphics display of fields and trajectories, support for dynamic electric fields, and demonstrated performance in tested ion‑lens designs show the tool’s practical utility. SIMION PC/PS2 is available upon written request for the cost of distribution.

Abstract

SIMION PC/PS2 4.02 is a personal computer program for designing and analyzing charged particle (ions and electrons) lenses, ion transport systems, and various types of mass spectrometers and surface probes that utilize charged particles. The modification of an existing design or the generation of a completely new one is performed interactively with a graphics screen and mouse. Once the geometry has been defined, the operating conditions (electrode voltages and magnetic field configuration) can be quickly changed and the resultant fields viewed in several different 2D and 3D modes. The trajectories of charged particles moving in these fields are calculated utilizing sophisticated ‘‘look-ahead’’ algorithms that dynamically control the time step to optimize speed and accuracy. A unique graphics display of the electrostatic fields and ion trajectories gives the user an intuitive, easily understood view of the performance characteristics. simion also includes a totally integrated capability for users to easily construct subprograms, which are automatically compiled and integrated into the main program, for defining and controlling all of the major functions of trajectory calculations. This makes it possible to model dynamic electric fields (e.g., rf), including ion-molecule collisions or neutralizations, etc. Operational experience with specific ion lenses designed with simion and tested in several different applications are discussed. SIMION PC/PS2 is available upon written request for the cost of distribution.