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SIMION
What SIMION is
SIMION calculates electric fields and charged-particle trajectories from configured electrodes and particle starting conditions. It solves electrostatic fields in two and three dimensions, with arrays reaching almost 20 billion points on 64-bit systems when sufficient RAM is available. Particle tracing includes relativistic corrections and variable-step Runge–Kutta, and the maker says millions of particles can be handled. Geometry can be created in a 3D editor, imported from STL CAD files, defined in GEM text files, or manipulated with Perl, Python, C++, and Lua. SIMION supports low-frequency time-dependent or RF fields and magnetic fields. Its quasistatic approximation does not simulate much higher frequencies or radiation effects. Flight parameters can be recorded to delimited text files, and programming features can export data to applications such as Excel through a COM interface. Listed applications include mass spectrometers, ion traps, RF quadrupoles, ICR cells, ion sources, and detector optics. It runs on Linux and Windows.
Who it suits
SIMION suits users modeling charged particles, electrodes, and fields for the listed scientific applications. It also fits teams needing programmable geometry and data export.
What it does well
- Solves electrostatic fields in 2D and 3D
- Supports millions of traced particles
- Imports STL CAD geometry
- Supports Perl, Python, C++, and Lua
- Includes RF and magnetic-field support
What to know first
- No free plan
- Quasistatic approximation omits very high frequencies
- Demo restricts saving custom geometries
- Single license generally covers one user or computer
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| SIMION 2020 Lab Kit Site License | 30 seats | On request |
| SIMION 2020 Software, Academic License | For US academic/government use only · electronic download | $1,295, paid once |
| SIMION 2020 Software | New commercial license · electronic download · license for one user or one computer | $1,895, paid once |
| SIMION 2020 "lab kit" Site License | Universities only · 30 seats | $4,995, paid once |
| SIMION 2020 Academic License, 1 Year Lease | 1 year lease · Single academic user | $595 a year |
As simion.com lists them, read 25 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
SIMION provides field solving, particle tracing, geometry tools, and programming interfaces for specialized charged-particle modeling. Users should account for its quasistatic limits and demo restrictions.
Facts from SIMION's own pages
- Analysis and integrations
- SIMION can record flight parameters to delimited text files and its programming features can export data to programs such as Excel through a COM interface. · simion.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Applications
- The maker lists uses including mass spectrometers, ion traps, RF quadrupoles, ICR cells, ion sources, and detector optics. · simion.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Demo
- A demo is available by request; it limits saving and refining custom geometries and is mainly for exploring the interface and existing examples. · simion.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Field solving
- It supports electrostatic field solving in 2D and 3D and describes arrays up to almost 20 billion points on 64-bit systems with sufficient RAM. · simion.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- No · simion.com, 25 Sept 2026
- Geometry and programming
- Geometry options include a 3D editor, STL CAD import, GEM text files, and programmatic manipulation using languages including Perl, Python, C++, and Lua. · simion.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- The ordering page says each single license generally allows one user or one computer, at the purchaser’s option. · sisweb.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The SIMION site identifies Adaptas Solutions, LLC and IMI Adaptas in its copyright and contact footer. · simion.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Particle tracing
- Particle tracing includes relativistic corrections and variable-step Runge–Kutta, and the maker says millions of particles can be handled. · simion.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The maker says SIMION runs on Windows and Linux, and lists Wine/Linux and CrossOver Mac among tested system options. · simion.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- SIMION calculates electric fields and charged-particle trajectories for configured electrodes and particle initial conditions. · simion.com, 12 Oct 2026
- RF and magnetic fields
- SIMION supports low-frequency time-dependent or RF fields and magnetic fields, while its quasistatic approximation does not simulate much higher frequencies or radiation effects. · simion.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Security and privacy
- The demo request page says submitted information is used only to reply to the current SIMION inquiry and not to send further unsolicited emails. · simion.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- Support options include online documentation, an open users group, and phone and email support; the maker describes included support as limited and basic. · simion.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Updates
- The product page says one year of maintenance is included upon purchase and upgrades are electronic downloads through the software’s Check for Updates button. · simion.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where SIMION stands on Freedom251
- Simulation Software#34 of 69
- Physics Simulation Software#86 of 89