Operation and performance of a 3D finite element charged particle code with adaptive meshing

Summary form only given. Beam Optics Analysis (BOA), a new, 3D charged particle program is available and in use for the design of complex, 3D electron guns and charged particle devices. The code is remarkably simple to use. It reads files directly from most CAD and solid modeling programs, includes a simple, intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI), and a robust mesh generator that is fully automatic. Complex problems can be set up, and analysis initiated in minutes. The program also includes a user-friendly post processor for displaying field and trajectory data using 3D plots and images. The mesh generator is provided by Simmetrix, Inc. Simmetrix is a leading supplier of tools and techniques for simulation-based design, incorporating advanced engineering analysis in the engineering design process. The electrostatic solver is based on the standard nodal finite element method. The magnetostatic field solver is based on the vector finite element method and is also called during the trajectory simulation process to solve for self magnetic fields.