spec

Software for Diffraction

1.1. - Introduction



spec is a UNIX-based software package for instrument control and data acquisition widely used for X-ray diffraction at synchrotrons around the world and in university, national and industrial laboratories. Features include:


  • Built-in code to regulate motor controllers and detection electronics using VME, CAMAC, GPIB, RS-232, PC-board and ethernet-socket interfaces.

  • Generalized access for VME, CAMAC, GPIB, RS-232, PC I/O ports and socket I/O to read from and write to user devices.

  • Sophisticated user interface with command interpreter, complete with variables, looping and flow control, allowing for creative experiment automation.

  • Language uses a familiar C-like syntax.

  • A command-file facility allows complicated or commonly used command sequences to be immediately called up.

  • An easy-to-use macro facility, with a large library of predefined macros. Macros can be readily modified with any text editor to suit experiments.

  • Scans, data-file formats, etc. are not built into the compiled program but defined as easily modified macros.

  • High-resolution, real-time data plots are available on X Windows and Sunview systems.

  • Macro libraries and geometry-calculation routines support two-, four-, five- and six-circle diffractometers, kappa diffractometers, many liquid surface X-ray diffractometers and other configurations. The standard four-circle diffractometer supports many advanced modes and includes features such as least-squares refinement of the lattice parameters. New geometry configurations can be easily created.

  • Hardware configuration employs a spread-sheet-style interface to select device names, addresses, CAMAC slot assignments, motor parameters, etc.

  • Security features let site administrators restrict access to particular motors (such as those at a synchrotron beam-line front end).

  • Available for most UNIX Systems, widely used on Linux PC platforms and UNIX workstations, including SUN (both SunOS 4.x and Solaris 2.x), HP 700 series and IBM RS/6000.