Specplot - An Interactive Data Reduction and Display Program for Spectral Data

Abstract

The automation of analytical equipment is proceeding at a rapid pace, particularly since the introduction of inexpensive microcomputer systems. Most of this equipment has one characteristic in common, that is, they produce digital spectral data. The usual method of recording spectral data has been the strip chart recorder. Strip charts require the hand encoding of position and intensities of the spectral lines. This requires that all of the lines be on scale or that the sample be run several times in order to amplify weaker lines. This problem is eliminated by recording the data digitally. Digital data can then be rapidly plotted on a cathode ray terminal to any desired scale. The user of digital data has access to a great variety of automatic data reduction programs.