Contens

Specon 32bit

Contents

What is Specon ?

What's New ?

What is STAMP mode ?

Operational Buttons

Using viewer

Menu system

File

Edit

Periodic Table

Axis conversion

Preference

Licence

Version Information & Homepage

Author


What is Specon ?

   Specon is a converting utility between various spectrum files having various binary formats (SPEctrum CONversion). Spectra having different formats are produced by various MCAs and analysis codes such like RUMP and SENRAS. Some of  them have not only count data of channels but also experimental conditions or conversion factors they are used for converting  channel to some physical values (energy, time and so on). It was made in DOS system early of 1990's,  and has developed to 32-bit windows system. I don't be sure that this program runs in Windows NT system though  it is composed completely with 32-bit codes.

   Specon can automatically identify 11 binary formats and two ascii formats. They can be completely converted to each other including experimental information if possible. Specon can convert the channel from energy to time, and vise versa during conversion. It also has a pretty periodic table for user's convinience. The periodic table has database of  physical, chemical,  nuclear and some other properties of elements.

  Specon is also useful as a spectrum viewer. The viewer has several functions of a simple MCA such as ROI, zoom, background subtraction and comparison of two spectra. User can open multi-windows of  many spectra at same time.

 One more important function of Specon is the STAMP function which works only in the case that the destination file format is set to be RUMP or SENRAS format. RUMP is a famous simulation code for RBS (Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry). And SENRAS is one for ERDA (Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis). Spectrum files having these types have many physical data for simulation.  When STAMP is turned on, previously set data (for RUMP or SENRAS) are copied with spectral data during conversion.

   Specon has also several micellous functions such like copy, move, rename, and delete a file. Specon has two file list windows, Source and Destination. The terms, Source and Destination, are meaningful only in the spectrum conversion. The spectra selected in the source window will be converted by clicking convert button or selecting convert in file menu and wrriten in the destination window. In case of the other operations such as copy, delete, move, each window can be one of source and destination.


Button

Convert

Same as the Convert menu in the File menu

Spectrum

Same as the View Spectrum menu in the File menu

Text View

Same as the Edit text menu in the Eidt menu

RUMP Data

Same as the Edit Rump Data menu in the Edit menu

Copy

Copy the selected file(s)

Move

Move the selected file(s)

Rename

Same as the Rename menu in the File menu

Delete

Delete the selected file(s)

Exit

Close all windows and Exit from Specon

Refresh

Reread directory data of the current folder and unselect all the selected files

Select All

Select all files in the current folder

Stamp

On/Off switch for turning on/off of the STAMP mode


File

Convert ( F2)

Convert selected file(s). Channel Number must not exceed 16k for each file. File formats of source and destinaiton file must be determined by user using combo box before converting. Source file format can be determined  automatically when Auto detection is selected in source format combo box. When the destination format is set to be RUMP format, and Stamp mode is turned on, the STAMP data will be written in new RUMP files. If the STAMP confirmation mode is turned on, Specon shows the current STAMP data every time before start converting, automatically.

View spectrum ( F3)

Show selected spectra. If the selected file has RUMP format, Specon also automatically shows the experimental data contained in the file. When more than one file are selected, Specon shows all the files. Refer here for details about using viewer.

Copy (F7)

Copy selected file(s) and folders from one window to the other. If a folder is selected, all the files and subfolders in the folder are copied.

Move (F8)

Move selected file(s) and folders from one window to the other. If a folder is selected, all the files and subfolders in the folder are moved. Please be careful to use this function when you want to move  folders which contains system, hidden and read-only files.

 Delete ( Del)

Delete selected file(s) and folders. Specon shows  not only archive files but also system, hidden and read-only files, and can delete them. This function is very powerful, and thus, very dangerous.Please be careful when using this function,  especially deleting folders. Since Specon doesn't use trash-box of windows 95, deleted files can not be recovered easily.

Rename ( F9)

Change the name of a selected file or folder. When more than one file are selected, Rename is applied to only the 1st file.

Make Dir ( F11)

Make a directory in the selected file-list window.

Connect Network Drive

Connect a network drive. After connection, you can find a new drive letter in drive combo box. If you don't disconnect a network drive, it remains to be still connected after you exit from  Specon.

Disconnect Network Drive

Disconnect a network drive. After disconnect it, the drive letter of the network drive is disappeared from drive combo box.

Exit ( ctrl-x)

Exit from Specon


Edit

Edit RUMP data ( F4)

Edit the experimental data in a selected RUMP file. The experimental data included in the selected file can be changed by editing and saving them manually. When more than one file are selected, Specon shows the 1st file. A RUMP file has to be selected before using this function. This function can be applied only to a file having RUMP format.

Edit Stamp Data ( F5)

Stamp data are the experimental conditions of RBS which will be applied to new files when they are created during converting. Stamp data can be edited using this function. Stamp data is saved in configuration file, and you can use later by loading the configuration file.

Edit Text ( F6)

Sometimes, user have to edit a text file. This menu item may be useful in that case. It calls notepad of Windows95 and ready for selected file to be edited. Before click this menu item, a file must be selected.


Option
Preference

Format & Axis

Set the default paths and file formats for source files and destination files. You can also set the values of conversion factor, offset and length of Time-Of-Flight for axis conversion.

Source Mask

Select the mask (pattern) to be applied to the source window. The files having extension same as the selected mask will be shown in the source window.

Destination Mask

Select the mask (pattern) to be applied to the destination window. The files having extension same as the selected mask will be shown in the destinaiton window.

Graphic

Select the dot size and color used in spectrum displaying.

RUMP STAMP mode

Select whether the STAMP mode on or off. When STAMP mode is turned on, the blue light is turned on at the top center of the Specon window. Otherwise, the red light is.  This function is valid only when the destination file format is set to be RUMP format.

STAMP Confirmation

Select whether the STAMP data will be shown or not, for confimation every time when converting to RUMP format file is started.

Load Default

Load parameters from configuration file (*.cfg) you made previously.

Save Current Setting ...

Save current setting in configuration file, and at the next time you load that, the saved values will be used for preference. If you set the configuration file name as specon.cfg, Specon read it at starting up. The values saved in configuration file are

Source path

Destination path

Main window size

Source mask

Destination mask

Source format

Destination format

Axis conversion factor

Axis conversion offset

Length of Time of flight

Lower limit of zoom mode in spectrum viewer

Range of zoom mode in spectrum viewer

Dot size in spectrum viewer

Dot color in spectrum viewer

Stamp on/off

Stamp confirm on/off

Stamp data.


License

Specon is a freeware. You can freely use it for private purpose, but any modification is not allowed. You must notify to author before you redistribute Specon. To use Specon for commercial purpose,  agreement of the author is needed.

Any questions or bug reports will be welcome. However, the author don 't have any responsibility for all troubles those take place when you use this software. Don't forget that you must do that all on your own risk.


Version Information

Specon version : 1.52

Programmed by Wan Hong (15. Feb. 2001)

Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM)

Home Page: http://hongpc.kigam.re.kr

Email : whong@rock25t.kigam.re.kr


Axis

Time to Energy

Convert with channel dimension from time to energy. This is useful for TOF (Time of Flight) measurement. Specon request the mass of ion and detector efficiency for efficiency correction. You can also set the maxmum energy range to convert. If you leave it to zero, it is set to be maximum value of the source spectrum automatically. Conversion factor and offset of the source file have to be set for axis conversion. If the check box beside conversion factor is unchecked, conversion factor and offset of source file are used if possible. The conversion factor of the new energy spectrum is calculated and saved to new spectrum file if possible.

Energy to Time

Reverse process of Time to Energy conversion


Author

Yes, it's me !! Wan Hong.

Birth : 1964

Senior researcher

Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM)

I made this program on my own business, and really hope that it is helpful and useful to many peaple. So, bug reports are vey welcome.


STAMP

    STAMP mode is a special function for RUMP and SERAS user. These spectrum fitting programs need many experimental conditions (incident ion energy, mass, tilting angle etc etc ...), and users have to type the values by key stroking manually for each spectrum even though the spectra were taken fixed experimental conditions. This makes fitting operation very slow and inefficient.

    Specon can have the prefixed experimental conditions in memory and write the values to the spectrum file during conversion. Since this function is for RUMP and SENRAS user, this is valid only when the destination file format is set to be RUMP or SENRAS. STAMP will make the fitting operation of batch spectra with same experimental conditions easy,  fast and efficient.


Formats

  Specon can recognize 11 binary and two ascii (plan text) formats automatically and manually. The automatic detection function of format types is not perfect. If Specon misunderstands of your spectrum, choose the file format manually and try again. Automatic detection can be selected in only source window.

1. RUMP

Binary new RUMP file format. This has very small file size since this has packed data. This format has not only count data but also many experimental conditions. STAMP function can be used for this type of spectrum. The default extension of this type is "rbs".

2. EG&G Maestro II

Binary file format of EG&G Ortec Maestro II. The default extension of this type is "chn".

3.EG&G GammaVision

Binary file format of GammaVision (EG&G Ortec)). The default extension of this type is "spc".

4. New Oxford

Binary file format of new Oxford MCA. The default extension of this type is "spt".

5. Old oxford

Binary file format of old Oxford MCA. The default extension of this type is "spm".

6. Ascii 1

Ascii file format with channel data. This must have two column data, one channel, the other count. Two columns have to be separated by space or tab. Specon regards the line start with " ' " as remark line and ignors the line. The number of data of this type has to be 512, 1024, 2048, ... 16384. Otherwise, Specon doesn't  recognize them as spectrum. The default extension of this type is "as1".

7. Ascii 2

Ascii file format without channel data. This must have one column data, count of each channel. Specon regards the line start with " ' " as remark line and ignors the line. The number of data of this type has to be 512, 1024, 2048, ... 16384. Otherwise, Specon doesn't  recognize them. The default extension of this type is "as2".

8. Canberra

Binary file format of CANBERRA MCAs (Series 90). The default extension of this type is "spc".

9. Quantum X

Binary file format of Quantum X (American Nuclear System Inc.). The default extension of this type is "ans".

10. SENRAS

Binary SENRAS file format. This is just same as old RUMP file format (no packed data). This format has not only count data but also many experimental conditions. STAMP function can be used for this type of spectrum. The default extension of this type is "sen".

11. Nucleus

Binary file format of Nucleus MCAs. This file has only count data with 4 bytes per channel. The default extension of this type is "ncl".

12. Hypra

Binary file format of Hypra (Charles Evans Co.). The default extension of this type is "snf".

13. KODAQ

Binary file format of KODAQ (Kaku-ken On-line Data Acquisition System). The default extension of this type is "spc".


VIEWER

Menu

File

Load other spectrum file and, compare it with, or subtract it from, or add it to preloaded spectrum.When adding and subtracting, multification value is used as multification factor of channel data of the added or subtracted spectrum.  When channel data or conversion factor are modified, the spectrum can be saved. When it is saved, the other header data of  original spectrum file.except conversion factor are not changed.

Scale

Change count axis scale. Auto scale and log scale are available. Default is auto scale mode.

Region

Temporary change display region of this session. LOWER LIMIT and RANGE can be set here. Display region is from LOWER LIMIT to LOWER LIMIT + RANGE. These values work only when ZOOM switch is checked.

Default : Lower limit = 0, Range = 500, Zoom switch = off.

Default values of lower limit and range can be changed in preference menu in main window

Dot Size

Temporary change unit dot size for spectrum drawing of this session.

Default : 1

Default value can be changed in preference menu in main window

Dot Color

Temporary change unit dot color for spectrum drawing of this session.

Default : foreground = black, background = gray.

Default value can be changed in prefenrece menu in main window

Input box

Multiplication factor

This value is used as multiplication factor for adding and subtracting spectrum. The result spectrum can be saved (see  above, sector "File").

Conversion factor & Offset

These values are used to calibrate the channel data to some physical value such like energy and time. Viewer display additionally axis automatically above the spectrum display area when conversion factor is non-zero. User can edit these value. When these are changed, additional axis will be redrawn. New conversion factor and offset can be saved (see above, sector "File").

Channel & Energy & Count

Channel values at mouse pointer are displayed in right-side text box. And the corresponding energy value and count are shown in the next two boxes. User can type the channel value in the channel box.

Precise ROI set (keyboard stroke)

You can type the lower and upper limit of ROI in the first two text boxes at the bottom of viewer window named "From" and "To".

Mouse

Mouse moving (Automatic display of count and calibrated value)

Channel, calibrated value of the channel (energy, time and so on) and count data are automatically displayed under the spectrum window.

ROI set (Left mouse button  and dragging)

Area of ROI can be calculated by means of pressing left mouse button, dragging and release it. Net area is also calculated by subtracting of background area. Background area is defined as the area below the line which connects the average height of 5 neighbor points of each side of the ROI. ROI is cleared by right button click.

Double click or Shift + Left mouse button

If you doubleclick or click with shift down when a ROI is set by mouse draging or typing channel values, the selected area is zoomed and user define zoom mode is turned on.

Right mouse button

When ROI is set, ROI is cleared. Other wise, the popup menu for zooming and scrolling appears.

Buttons

Left button & Right button

They have same functions as left/right arrow keys/

Keyboard

Up & down arrow keys (Only when Picture has focus)

Maximum scale of spectrum height increases by down key press and decrease with up key press.

Left & right arrow keys (Only when Picture has focus)

When scroll mode is off, zoomming mode on by right key press and a spectrum is zoomed in with successive press. On the contrary, left arrow key makes zooming out a spectrum. When scroll mode is on, spectrum is scrolled up/down. With shift key, scrolling speed can be controlled.


What's New ?

Version 1.52

1. Double click on a file invokes the associated program like windows explorer.

2. System icons are displayed in the file listviews.

3. Internal codes were simplified.

4. Bugs were fixed.

Version 1.51

1. Access via network is now available without network drive connection.

2. Arrow keys can be used for zooming, scrolling and height control of spectrum in the spectrum viewer.

3. Arrow buttons for zooming, scrolling and height control of a spectrum are added in the spectrum viewer.

4. Popup menu is available by right mouse button clicking on a spectrum.

5. X-ray table is added to the periodic table.

6. Minor bugs were fixed.

Version 1.50

1. Viewer design was changed.

2. Conversion factor is displayed and can be edited in viewer.

3. Calibrated data axis of channel was added to viewer when conversion factor is not zero.

4. Not only the channel value at mouse pointer but also calibrated value is displayed in viewer.

5. Multiplication factor used when add or subtract spectra is available.

6. Modified spectrum by addling or subtracting can be saved with its edited conversion factor.

7. Minor bugs were fixed.

Version 1.42

1. Bugs on R/W of GammaVision format were fixed.

2. MS Common controls were upgraded to version 6.0

3. Bugs on accessing to network drive were fixed

4. Bugs on mouse action on spectrum viewer were fixed.

5. Internal codes were simplified.

Version 1.41

1.GammaVision (SPC, EG&G Ortec) format is added.

2. Database was upgraded for periodic table. Physical and chemical information is available.

3. Network drive is now available.

4. Mouse action is changed in spectrum viewer. When ROI is not set, channel and count data are automatically displayed  along the mouse pointer moving.  When ROI is set, doubleclick makes zoomed spectrum. ROI is cleared by right button click. Channel and count data are displayed by left button click when ROI is set..

5. Internal code was updated.

6. Minor bugs were fixed

Version 1.40

1. Adding, comparing and subtracting of spectrum are available in the spectrum viewer.

2. The design of file list windows were changed, and they can show the file sizes,  date informations and file attributions. The icons in the list windows, were different for normal directory, normal file, important directory and important file. The sorting is available by name, extension, size and date.

3. A folder can be deleted, copied or moved even though it is not empty. Please be careful to use this function when you want to delete or move a folder which has system, hidden and read-only files.

Before version 1.40

I forgot them !!!


Periodic Table

    This is a simple periodic table using database. The database is using Microsoft Database engine Jet. You can find the file named  "Specon.mdb" at specon folder. The file is the database.

    When you move mouse pointer on the table, the atomic data of the element indicated by the pointer are displayed on the table automatically. If you want to stop the changing displayed data, just click the mouse button. When you click again, the changing of the data starts again. For detail information of a element, doubleclick on the element. Then you can find physical and chemical  information of the element. It also has a simple isotope  table, a X-ray table and historical information. A X-ray table sorted by energy of all elements also can be invoked by clicking of "x-rays" button.

   The data were based on the IUPAC data basically. Some data were refered from Table of Isotopes. Stand-alone version of the perodic table is also available. Give me a e-mail.


Rump
A fitting and simulation software for RBS spectrum analysis.


Senras
A fitting and simulation software for ERDA spectrum analysis