[NeXus-committee] Context for NeXus detectors

[Benjamin Watts]

Hi Everyone,
    My instrument type (Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscope) can be 
set up with multiple detectors, each measuring different things that 
require slightly different analysis treatments. We can measure the 
transmitted X-ray beam, photoelectrons (from either the front or rear 
surface, or by measuring the drain current from the sample, which would 
correspond to both surfaces) and fluorescent X-rays - possibly all 
simultaneously. It is probably possible to figure out what is what from 
the "type" and "position" fields, but it seems a bit awkward for the 
file reader to figure out the mapping from the detector type to the 
measured quantity and it would be better for the file writer to simply 
state it in a new field.
    I am thinking to suggest a new "measured_quantity" field (with 
values like "transmitted_photon", "fluorescent_photon", "photoelectron", 
etc.) for NXdetector as a solution to my problem, but first I would like 
to gather input from others who face similar issues with multiple 
detector types. I would also be glad to hear other view-points and 
experiences on this topic.

Cheers,
Ben