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Data from Kratos instruments

Kratos Analytical XPS instruments (AXIS Ultra, AXIS Nova, AXIS Supra, and related models) export data in VAMAS ISO 14976 format (.vms files). The reader handles Kratos files through the standard VAMAS parser, with automatic detection and parsing of the Kratos-specific metadata stored in the VAMAS comment blocks.

Supported versions

The Kratos reader supports any VAMAS file that contains a recognized Kratos metadata block. Version detection is not enforced for this format.

Supported metadata

The Kratos comment parser (see parsers/kratos/) extracts the following instrument-specific fields from the VAMAS comment blocks when present:

  • Lens mode (lens)
  • X-ray source (anode material, power, deflection)
  • Charge neutralizer state
  • Stage position (tilt)
  • Energy range (start, end, centre, width)
  • Step size and dwell time
  • Sweep count and acquisition date

Example conversion

Kratos .vms files are converted using the same command as any other VAMAS file:

user@box:~$ dataconverter my_kratos_data.vms eln_data.yaml --reader xps --nxdl NXxps --output my_kratos_data.nxs

An ELN YAML file is required to supply any required NeXus fields not present in the VAMAS file. Use examples/vms/eln_data_vms.yaml as a starting template.

Note

Kratos-specific metadata is read automatically whenever the reader detects Kratos comment blocks in a VAMAS file. No additional flags or config options are required.

Further reading