A Python library for interfacing with a Hamamatsu c8855-01 photon counting unit.
This repository provides a Python based GUI for the Hamamatsu c8855-01 photon counting unit, similar to the Labview Runtime GUI provided by Hamamatsu.
It is recommended you install the driver using the Hamamatsu-provided CD/USB so that at least the libusb.dll is installed so that the driver for the photon counter correctly works.
For 64-bit Windows, you will have to unpack to compressed 64bit driver provided on the CD/USB
Expand c8855-01api.dl_ c8855-01api-x64.dll
This is the name this program expects for the driver, if you want to change its name you can do so in the wrapper file.
Place this driver either somewhere with an easy to remember path, or note the install path for the driver.
make sure you have rye installed on your system, then clone this repository. cd into the directory for the repository.
Run the following commands:
rye install c8855-photoncounter --path . -fthis will install the photon counter gui and supporting configuration script.
Run the configuration script:
configure_dll_c8855 full\path\to\your\dllnow you can run the GUI. The gui executable is located in C:\Users\"your_user_name"\.rye\tools\c8855-photoncounter\Scripts and a shortcut and icon (if you wish) can be created from here. The executable is called counter_gui.exe
As mentioned, the GUI is inspired by Hamamatsu's LabView GUI. It supports both its internal trigger and an external trigger, all available gates and gate times. It also displays the total number of counts. Improvements to the UI are always welcome.
It runs natively in a dark environment-friendly colour scheme however, you can change this in the theme.json file & matplotlib styling at the beginning of the GUI layout.