VSTRAP-HET 1.2.0 — Major Feature Release

Release Date: 28 April 2025
VSTRAP-HET 1.2.0 introduces new capabilities for thruster geometry configuration and erosion analysis, alongside improved simulation models and performance.   

New Capabilities

HET Modelling Improvements  

  • Channel Chamfering: Add customizable chamfers to the channel exit. Upper and lower channel chamfers are configurable independently. 
  • Improved Empirical AT Model: Smoother transition between channel and plume regions for more physically realistic transport coefficients. 
  • Better Resolution Control: Grid resolution now scales independently from permittivity settings.  

Plume Simulation Enhancements 

  • Faster Plume Simulation Runs: Adjustable CEX acceleration and collision multipliers significantly reduce simulation time. 

Product Enhancements

  • Clearer Labels: Improved naming throughout the interface for clarity. 
  • HET base plot visualization: Aspect ratio is maintained without distortions.  
  • Improved Energy Visualization: Runtime energy plots now include a secondary eV axis. 
  • Cross Section Dataset: Improved elastic electron scattering with consistent excitation levels from Hayashi, improved ion-neutral charge exchange and elastic scattering. 
  • Output Format: Grid data now exported as .vtk, compatible with most visualization and analysis tools. 
  • Runtime Diagnostics: Anode efficiency tracked during simulation. 
  • Performance: Faster 2D HET simulations and optimized GUI thread allocation. 
  • Plume Defaults: Updated default configuration for better performance/accuracy balance. 
  • Bug Reporting: Direct link to bug reporting for issue submission, particularly for BETA features. 

Experimental Features

HET Modelling BETA Features

  • Central Neutralizer: New configuration option for modelling a centralized neutralizer inflow, preserving axial symmetry while better representing real thruster designs. Customize neutral and ion particle emission. 
  • Smarter Open Electron Boundaries: Open boundaries now retain a fraction of electrons, better mimicking axial electron trapping in the plume.  
  • First-Principles Anomalous Transport Model: New self-consistent model based on first principles, based on work from NASA JPL, alongside the existing empirical model. Significantly improves HET simulation predictivity. 
  • Erosion Analysis: Erosion yield modelling for dielectric materials, providing erosion rate distributions for lifetime and wear assessment. 
  • Faster Thruster Startup: Set initial plasma and neutral density conditions to accelerate ignition phase, reaching steady state faster. 
  • Extended Stability Regime: Improved semi-implicit solver and surface charge smoothing for stable runs on coarser grids, reducing computation time. 

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