QTM Toolbox

This repository holds the Python QTM Toolbox that can be used for transport measurements with equipment as used in the QTM/ICE research group.

Measurement tools

The repository contains different files and folders, organised in the following manner:

• Measurement_script.py is the main file of the project and is the starting point of each experiment. For every new experiment, create a new copy of this file and change it to reflect your current measurement setup.
• functions contains the QTMlab.py script that contains basic functions such as move, sweep, measure.
• instruments contains definitions for all instruments that can be used during measurements.

Plot tools

The repository contains a simple plot tool that can plot live measurements. The tool can also quickly plot other (i.e. older) data files, as long as they are generated by the QTM Toolbox.

• QTMplot.pyw is the plot tool. The tool should be launched from the pythonw.exe of your installed Python distribution.

A screenshot of the plot tool is shown below.

Tips

The plot tool has a few useful keyboard shortcuts!

• Ctrl+O : pop up the 'Open file dialog' (also stops live plotting)
• Ctrl+R : rescale figure once
• Ctrl+A : enable auto rescale: the figure will continuously rescale when new data is added through the live plotting
• Ctrl+L : toggle live plotting on/off

Requirements / Installation

To run the QTMtoolbox, we recommend the installation of Python 3.x through the Anaconda distribution. To use the live plotting tool as a standalone application, tick "Add Anaconda to system PATH" during the installation of Anaconda, or edit the Environment Variables manually.

By using the Anaconda prompt, install the following packages

• pyqt5
• pyqtgraph
• pyvisa
• pyserial

Documentation

A manual is supplied to help new users to setup their measurements. The manual also contains an overview of all instruments, functions, etc.

• Manual is a PDF file containing detailed information about how to use this Toolbox.

The .gitignore file tells GitLab that certain files / folder should not be uploaded to this repository (such as personal configuration files) and can be ignored.