The application of the NeXus data format to ISIS muon data

• Published in: Physica. B, Condensed matter Vol. 326; no. 1; pp. 238 - 243
• Main Authors: Flannery, D, Cottrell, S.P, King, P.J.C
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.02.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Computers in experimental physics; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Data acquisition: hardware and software; Data formats; Exact sciences and technology; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Magnetic resonances and relaxations in condensed matter, mössbauer effect; Muon spin rotation and relaxation; NeXus; Physics; 76.75.+i; NeXus; 07.05.Kf; Data formats; Muon spin relaxation; Computer software; File structure; Data storage; 76.75.; Instrumentation; Data processing; 07.05.Kf Data formats
• ISSN: 0921-4526; 1873-2135
• DOI: 10.1016/S0921-4526(02)01613-7

The NeXus data format was originally developed as a common format for storing data collected during neutron and X-ray experiments. It is based on the freely available and widely used hierarchical data format (HDF) (a portable, binary and extensible format that is self-describing) and many general tools are already in existence to manipulate these files. This paper explores the use of NeXus as a data format for storing ISIS muon data files and considers its more general suitability as a common μSR file format for data storage. The design of the structure and content of the muon NeXus files will be considered and the implementation of a program to convert the present ISIS raw data format to the NeXus format discussed. Finally, plans for the future development of the NeXus data format as a method of storing μSR data will be considered.