VSTRAP-HET 1.1.0 Release Notes

Release Date: 04.02.2025 

We are excited to announce the release of VSTRAP-HET 1.1.0., bringing significant new features, improvements, and bug fixes to enhance your Hall thruster simulations. 

New Features 

  1. Neutralizer Placement in the Simulation Domain 
    • Users can now place a neutralizer directly within the simulation environment. 
    • Customize location, size, and electron emission. 
  1. Independent Inner Channel Length Configuration 
    • The inner and outer channel lengths of the HET can now be set independently. 
  1. Placement of additional Electrodes and Anodes in the Simulation Domain 
    • Electrodes can now be placed freely or attached to dielectrics or other electrodes. 
    • Anodes and Electrodes can now be placed freely or attached to dielectrics or other electrodes/anodes. 
  1. Expanded Gas Options 
    • Krypton is now available as a second noble gas option for simulations. 

 

Major Bug Fixes 

  • Fixed memory leak in runtime diagnostics. 
  • Improved data availability in post-processing for different output frequencies. 
  • Fixed B-field loading from files to ensure accuracy in simulations. 

 

General Improvements 

  • Enhanced plot & tab naming for post-processing results. 
  • Toggleable legends in runtime plots for improved visualization. 
  • New y-axis log scale toggle in runtime plots. 
  • Updated color palette for runtime plots, improving clarity and readability. 

 

Beta Features (Experimental) 

We are introducing two beta features to expand simulation capabilities: 

  • Thruster Export for VSTRAP plume simulations. 
  • Thruster Import for VSTRAP plume simulations. 

These features are available for early testing and feedback. 

Patch Note 1.1.1

Release Date: 18.03.2025

Bug Fixes 

  • Configuration Loading: Fixed loading of simulation configurations created with version 1.0.0.
  • Parameter Validation: Corrected thermal accommodation configuration range to be properly constrained between 0 and 1.
  • Runtime Plotting: Fixed issue where log-scaled plots would incorrectly revert to linear scale after automatic updates.
  • Post-processing: Corrected plasma frequency calculation in diagnostics.

 

General Improvements 

  • UI Clarity: Renamed elements in the speedup section for improved user understanding.
  • Chemistry Interactions: Disabled unnecessary loading of interactions file for chemistry simulations.
  • Runtime Plotting: Added automatic fallback to linear scale when negative values are detected in log-scaled plots.
  • Post-Processing:
    • Harmonized timestamp visualization for neutral and plasma flows.
    • Added visual separator line between plasma and neutral timestamps for physical time in selection interface.
    • Updated general information section to display appropriate data based on the currently selected tab.

 

Feel free to contact us at support@sparc-industries.com