DIFFUSUP: A graphical user interface (GUI) software for diffusion modeling

Abstract

Advancements in high-resolution in-situ analyses have led to the extensive use of mineral diffusion zonings in determining petrologic and orogenic rates. The diffusion simulation, especially in multi-element systems, is numerically complex in practice. To streamline the application, we developed DIFFUSUP, a software featuring a graphic user interface (GUI) that facilitates the numerical simulation of diffusion with intricate initial conditions and thermal histories. DIFFUSUP alleviates the need for the knowledge of diffusion formulae, numerical solutions, and programming while still necessitating a fundamental understanding of problem setting, including the initial profiles and P-T-t evolution. DIFFUSUP's intuitive interface significantly simplifies the simulation setup process, making it particularly beneficial for reconnaissance research. It provides users with a balance between simplicity and flexibility, catering to a wide range of applications. These include support for multi-component systems, linear or isotropic spherical settings, variations in P-T-fO2 conditions, initial profiles, and boundary conditions. The software is stand-alone, compatible with Windows and macOS, and can be adapted to diverse problem settings. The software, user's guide, and a few examples can be downloaded from www.diffusup.org.