Talk at PyCon Taiwan 2013. The basic premise: Python is uniquely suited to run a physics lab end-to-end.

1. Lab overview
Experiment X
Verdict
Python in a physics lab
Gergely Imreh
PyCon Taiwan
May 25, 2013
Gergely Imreh Python in a physics lab

2. Lab overview
Experiment X
Verdict
Lab overview
Gergely Imreh Python in a physics lab

3. Lab overview
Experiment X
Verdict
Preparation
Talking to instruments
Interface
Analysis
Experiment X
Laundry list of an experiment
Planning and theory
Instrument control
Interface
Analysis and archiving
Gergely Imreh Python in a physics lab

4. Lab overview
Experiment X
Verdict
Preparation
Talking to instruments
Interface
Analysis
Theory
Tools of theory:
Gergely Imreh Python in a physics lab

5. Lab overview
Experiment X
Verdict
Preparation
Talking to instruments
Interface
Analysis
RS-232 Serial
import serial
instrument = serial.Serial("/dev/ttyUSB0",
baudrate=19200,
timeout=1)
instrument.write(cmd)
Gergely Imreh Python in a physics lab

6. Lab overview
Experiment X
Verdict
Preparation
Talking to instruments
Interface
Analysis
Gergely Imreh Python in a physics lab

7. Lab overview
Experiment X
Verdict
Preparation
Talking to instruments
Interface
Analysis
GPIB: General Purpose Interface Bus
import visa
oscilloscope = visa.instrument("GPIB::12")
oscilloscope.write("*IDN?")
print oscilloscope.read()
Gergely Imreh Python in a physics lab

8. Lab overview
Experiment X
Verdict
Preparation
Talking to instruments
Interface
Analysis
Gergely Imreh Python in a physics lab

9. Lab overview
Experiment X
Verdict
Preparation
Talking to instruments
Interface
Analysis
FireWire IEEE-1394
import pydc1394
lib = pydc1394.DC1394Library()
cams = l.enumerate_cameras()
cam0 = fw.Camera(l, cams[0][’guid’], isospeed=800)
image = numpy.array(cam0.current_image, dtype=’f’)
Gergely Imreh Python in a physics lab

10. Lab overview
Experiment X
Verdict
Preparation
Talking to instruments
Interface
Analysis
ctypes
import ctypes
my_dll = ctypes.windll.dll_name
receive_data = my_dll.ReceiveData
receive_data.restype = ctypes.c_long
print receive_data()
Gergely Imreh Python in a physics lab

11. Lab overview
Experiment X
Verdict
Preparation
Talking to instruments
Interface
Analysis
USB Test and Measurement Class
import os
file = os.open(device, os.O_RDWR)
os.write(file, command)
Gergely Imreh Python in a physics lab

12. Lab overview
Experiment X
Verdict
Preparation
Talking to instruments
Interface
Analysis
PyMCU - Python controller microcontroller unit
import pymcu
board = pymcu.mcuModule()
board.pinHigh(1)
board.pausems(500)
board.pinLow(1)
board.pausems(500)
Gergely Imreh Python in a physics lab

13. Lab overview
Experiment X
Verdict
Preparation
Talking to instruments
Interface
Analysis
Interface
Tools of control
Gergely Imreh Python in a physics lab

14. Lab overview
Experiment X
Verdict
Preparation
Talking to instruments
Interface
Analysis
Analysis
Tools of analysis:
Gergely Imreh Python in a physics lab

15. Lab overview
Experiment X
Verdict
Preparation
Talking to instruments
Interface
Analysis
Matplotlib aka. pylab
import pylab
import numpy
data = numpy.loadtxt(’data.csv’)
pylab.plot(data[:, 0], data[:, 1])
pylab.show()
Gergely Imreh Python in a physics lab

16. Lab overview
Experiment X
Verdict
Competitors
Gergely Imreh Python in a physics lab

17. Lab overview
Experiment X
Verdict
Balance
Gergely Imreh Python in a physics lab

18. Lab overview
Experiment X
Verdict
imrehg@gmail.com
https://gergely.imreh.net
Gergely Imreh Python in a physics lab