Quick Start
Datasqueeze comes provided with both an onboard help menu and a pdf manual.
These include a "Sample Session" which guides users through the
most commonly used features, and new users are strongly encouraged to work through
this sample session using the provided example files. However, for those users
eager to get started with their own data, here is a list of the essential steps that
must be followed to get meaningful results.
- Open a data file. This can be done either from the File->"Open Single File" menu item, or from
the File panel (which is the panel on the right that is selected by default when the application starts).
The latter option allows you to add or subtract multiple files.
- If the features you are interested in are too bright or too dim on the false color image, go to the
Image tab and drag the Max and/or Min sliders under "Hue, Value and Zoom".
- Calibrate the pattern. This is best done using the Calibration Wizard feature in the Calibrate panel in conjunction with
the scattering pattern from a standard material such
as silver behenate, but it is also possible to
set the parameters manually using the "Enter Instrument Parameters by Hand" feature in the Calibrate
pattern. To obtain meaningful results from any analysis is essential that the following parameters be
set properly:
- The pixel values corresponding to the beam center ("Beam Zero X Center" and "Beam Zero Y Center").
For most applications the position of the beam center must actually be known to within a fraction of one pixel. A black-and-white
X marks the position of the current beam center on the false color image.
- The wavelength of the radiation used in Angstroms. For copper K-alpha radiation this is 1.542 Angstroms.
- The angular range probed by the configuration you are using. This can be established by setting one of the following: the
Sample-Detector Distance and either Detector Width or Pixel Size, the Maximum Q, or the Maximum 2-Theta.
To verify that these parameters have been properly set, the user is strongly advised to verify the positions of one or more known
reflections.
- Make a plot using the Plot menu:
- First choose the type of plot you want to make, using the drop-down menu. For most first-time users this will
be "Plot versus Q / Sum or average over Chi" or "Plot versus 2Theta / Sum or average over Chi"
- Next to where it says "Set Plot Limits" click Start and then type values into boxes or drag cursors to select
the region of interest.
- Click "Make/Update Plot"
- Almost all results (original 2D data, plots, fits, etc.) can be saved in either graphical or text format, accessed from the File menu item.
Datasqueeze has many more features, but becoming familiar with those described above will get you started.
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