Cut plane function for AC/DC/charged particle tracing

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Hi, I am using the charged particle tracing module from the AC/DC module to simulate an Einzel lens. To get the beam shape i want to have the x and y positions of all my particles for several z values (propagation direction). When i export all data the particles are sorted after time, but do not feature the same z coordinates. I tried to do it with "cut plane", but that didnt work out. How could I do that? I would be very grateful for any help!



2 Replies Last Post 2026年5月27日 GMT+8 15:27
Gunnar Andersson COMSOL Employee

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Posted: 1 month ago 2026年4月20日 GMT+8 14:45
Updated: 1 month ago 2026年4月20日 GMT+8 14:45

Have you considered using plotting particles on the cut plane using a Poincaré map plot?

  • Add a 3D plot group.

  • Add a Poincaré map plot to the plot group.

  • Set Cut plane=Cut Plane 1.

  • Plot: This shows the intersections between the trajectories and the plane.

  • Results > Export: Add a Plot export node.

  • Set Plot group=the 3D plot group created above.

Have you considered using plotting particles on the cut plane using a Poincaré map plot? * Add a 3D plot group. * Add a Poincaré map plot to the plot group. * Set Cut plane=Cut Plane 1. * Plot: This shows the intersections between the trajectories and the plane. * Results > Export: Add a Plot export node. * Set Plot group=the 3D plot group created above.

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Posted: 2 hours ago 2026年5月27日 GMT+8 15:27

Have you considered using plotting particles on the cut plane using a Poincaré map plot?

  • Add a 3D plot group.

  • Add a Poincaré map plot to the plot group.

  • Set Cut plane=Cut Plane 1.

  • Plot: This shows the intersections between the trajectories and the plane.

  • Results > Export: Add a Plot export node.

  • Set Plot group=the 3D plot group created above.

This definitely works. Adding more parallel cut planes gives a broader view. To add to this, one can even generate a cut plane that changes it location and its normal direction based on particle beam direction. Then, based on the timestep, you can generate an animation of your beam profile in 2D.

Something that I am struggling with currently, is creating a contour plot of the particle positions in such a plot.

>Have you considered using plotting particles on the cut plane using a Poincaré map plot? > >* Add a 3D plot group. > >* Add a Poincaré map plot to the plot group. > >* Set Cut plane=Cut Plane 1. > >* Plot: This shows the intersections between the trajectories and the plane. > >* Results > Export: Add a Plot export node. > >* Set Plot group=the 3D plot group created above. This definitely works. Adding more parallel cut planes gives a broader view. To add to this, one can even generate a cut plane that changes it location and its normal direction based on particle beam direction. Then, based on the timestep, you can generate an animation of your beam profile in 2D. Something that I am struggling with currently, is creating a contour plot of the particle positions in such a plot.

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