IMPULSE version announcements

[Sesselmann]

Rob,

Thanks for all the trouble, sorry it didn't work.

Both Python 3 and Windows 7 date back to around 2009, so it is quite likely that these two don't tango together that well.

Need to dig a bit deeper, although I can't imagine too many people are still running on Windows 7.

Steven

[Sesselmann]

Thanks to Bruce, one of our Impulse users who patiently worked through Python and compiled a working Windows 7 version

Here is a link for those who still run Windows 7
https://github.com/ssesselmann/impulse/ ... tag/2.1.7g

Steven

[Sesselmann]

As impulse is becoming more mature and stable the enhancements are smaller.

In this version I have focused on improving the peakfinder function, it now does a much better job of identifying significant peaks.

https://www.gammaspectacular.com/blue/s ... ds/impulse

Steven

Impulse v2.1.9 gamma spectrum

[Sesselmann]

Just released Impulse v2.2.0

New in this version.

• split isotope file into common and special isotopes

• improved peak finding function

• easy switch between calibration and isotope flags

• refactoring of code sections for better efficiency

• bug fixes

The isotope libraries are json files and get copied across to ~/impulse_data_2.0/i/tbl/... in your home folder the first time you launch the program.
These json files are editable, so if you want to add isotopes of if you find a mistake you can fix it with a text editor.
Preferably let me know if you make any corrections.
I copied the data from a reputable source, but take no responsibility for it's accuracy, so if you are using my data for a scientific publication, be rigorous and check the numbers.

Steven

Impulse v2.2.0

[Sesselmann]

New versions coming thick and fast...

This one has a few bug fixes and a new function for GS-MAX serial devices..

Please report bugs and or suggestions.

Steven

https://github.com/ssesselmann/impulse/ ... tag/v2.2.1

[Sesselmann]

Just a reminder to everyone, that it's no longer necessary to run Impulse from the command line, that was only in the early stages of development.

All the latest versions are compiled into .app or .exe, so you can just double click on the icon to run the program.

Just one thing to remember 👆 , Impulse opens up in your browser, but does not quit by closing the browser, so use the exit button to stop the server before closing.

No worries if you forget, mac users can just right click on the icon and force quit and windows users should just be able to close the command window.

Steven

Download latest version here:
https://github.com/ssesselmann/impulse/releases

[Sesselmann]

Another week another version...

Thought I had the best version ever last weekend...., that was until user "Bruce" sent me a long list of bugs to fix... haha 😝

Bruce...... keep up the good work 👍

This weeks version here.. https://github.com/ssesselmann/impulse/releases

Steven

[Rob Tayloe]

Hi Steven,

I spent a few hours playing with the newest (as of 12 Dec 2024) version of Impulse and would like to provide some feedback.

Firstly, I really, really do NOT wish to have the program communicating with the internet. I found it necessary to turn off the wifi connection on my laptop once I realized the Impulse program was trying to "talk" outside my home. I have no interest in routinely "publishing" results directly from a data acquisition program. If I wish to share spectra data, as I've done in the past on your forum, I will process the data / image and then upload the information. I would, however, like to be able to save the spectra acquired. I must say that it was not obvious how this should be accomplished - Is there a "save" or "save as" button? I tried to save the data in the csv format, but all I could do was get a file called "my_spectrum.csv" saved; I was able to rename the saved "my_spectrum.csv" file to a more meaningful name. It still seems as though the csv file saves 3000 channels of data, even if one enters 2000 channels. .

I could not see the headers on the boxes for input source, sample frequency, etc. More contrast / larger fonts would be useful - see attached screen grab image.

I used a PC laptop running Windows 11 with a HD screen. The font sizes were very tiny, larger font sizes would be helpful. I was using a 38x38 mm CsI scintillator with a GS-USB-PRO device. Sources used were Cs-137, Co-60, Mn-54, Na-22, and Zn-65. These sources would have yielded more than five peaks upon which to perform an energy calibration. It would be useful if one could enter the coefficients for up to a 3rd order polynomial from one's own energy calibration curve.

I attempted to use the trackpad to "highlight" regions of interest. This led to some screen reconfiguring where axis values ranged from very large to negative numbers. I expect that my inexperience with this program caused a number of "pilot errors".

I did not see how to adjust the "gain" to have the peaks of interest more centrally displayed. With some fooling around with the number of "bins" (channels?) and bin size I was able to obtain more satisfactory spectra. I am attaching a few of the screen grabs.

Thank you for your efforts in creating this program.

[Sesselmann]

Thanks, I appreciate honest feedback...

I fully understand your concern, who knows what programmers put in their code, unless you are prepared to check hundreds of lines of code.
Impulse only makes one https:// connection on tab1 and it is to obtain the latest version number from my web site. It is strictly not necessary and if it is a cause of anxiety I can easily remove it.

Code: Select all

try:
    response = req.get('https://www.gammaspectacular.com/steven/impulse/news.html', verify=False)
    news = response.text
except:
    news = "No internet connection, version information temporarily unavailable."

That is the complete extent of the automatic internet connection (less intrusive than a google add).

The spectrum sharing function you refer to is completely optional and only possible after completing My Details on tab0 and obtaining an API Key.

But I think it is a useful feature because we can build a database of spectra from isotopes that many are not able to get their hands on.

Just a few words on the layout and font sizes.. Impulse runs on Python with Dash, and everything is displayed in a browser like a web page. This places limitations on what can and can not be done. Essentially the layout is all in the css (cascading style sheet) and it is tricky to code the page so it looks good on a laptop as well as a giant desktop screen. Try resizing your browser and you will see how the fonts and frames suddenly change size as the screen gets smaller. Once I get the actual run time bugs dealt with I will spend some time fixing the appearance. (probably reduce the number of themes to 2 or maybe 3.)

You are absolutely right, the bin size is the channel pitch, I went with "bin" because it's shorter than "channel" and doesn't take up as much space meaning larger FONT SIZE 😝

If you choose 3000 channels (bins) and a pitch of 10 you can adjust your GS gain so you have roughly 1 keV per channel (intuitively close to calibration).

Just a final note on the quirks of using a browser.

Some parameters only change after refreshing the browser, this could have been the case when you exported the csv file. The browser simply didn't know that you changed the filename until you refresh the screen.

Another catch is the stop conditions, you need to set (max seconds) and (max counts) before pressing START, because these parameters are passed into the while loop at the beginning. Therefore changing these while the spectrum is running does nothing. Not really a problem when you know how it works.

Many weekends have gone into this program and no doubt many more to come, so feedback is always appreciated ...

Steven

PS: Try the Light gray theme, the text will stand out better.

[Sesselmann]

Is there a "save" or "save as" button?

The short answer is, No.

When you launch Impulse for the first time it creates a directory in your home folder... C:\users\username\impulse_data_2.0

The program automatically saves the spectrum to this directory as a json file every 10 intervals or when you click STOP.

The impulse data directory also contains the isotope libraries /i

impulse_data_2.0

directory.jpg (37.22 KiB) Viewed 448 times

PS: it's worth noting that json files can be opened in a text editor and the data is completely readable.

Steven