The powerful software library snAPI for convenient High-Level Python programming of PicoQuant’s TCSPC and time tagging instruments has received great attention since it was initially released last year. The snappy new API (short snAPI) is a powerful Python wrapper for the lower level „bare metal“ libraries for configuration and operation of the popular instruments.
While the low-level programming libraries for these instruments had been available for Linux ever since PicoQuant established this line of products, snAPI was initially only available for Windows. Driven by enthusiasm for the open and free operating sytem Linux as well as customer demand, PicoQuant now released the first version of snAPI for Linux.
Key Benefits of snAPI for Linux
As well as under Windows it supports the x86-64 platform and under the hood harnesses the advantages of C++ for optimal speed and real-time performance while providing users the ease of use and versatility of Python.
The interface is 100% compatible across the two operating system platforms so that users can effortlessly port their custom code between them.
Apart from device configuration and data collection, snAPI provides a large variety of well established methods for processing and analysis of time tagged photon data streams and TCSPC histograms. Some examples are correlation, coincidence counting, time gating, filtering and heralded photon event processing.
It also comfortably encapsulates reading and writing of PicoQuant’s native time tagging data files and unfolding of the raw device data streams. By way of Matplotlib the results of all processing and analysis methods can conveniently be visualized.
Setup
To get started users just need a PicoQuant TCSPC device, its Library/DLL, Python, and snAPI.
Free Download on GitHub
Just as for Windows the new snAPI for Linux is available free of charge and can be downloaded from GitHub or simply via “pip install snAPI”. The project is actively maintained and updates are provided frequently. Requests for new features are very welcome and typically addressed quickly.