Python-Microscope - a new open-source Python library for the control of microscopes

Custom-built microscopes often require control of multiple hardware devices and precise hardware coordination. It is also desirable to have a solution that is scalable to complex systems and that is translatable between components from different manufacturers. Here we report Python-Microscope, a fre...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of cell science Vol. 134; no. 19
Main Authors: Susano Pinto, David Miguel, Phillips, Mick A, Hall, Nicholas, Mateos-Langerak, Julio, Stoychev, Danail, Susano Pinto, Tiago, Booth, Martin J, Davis, Ilan, Dobbie, Ian M
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England 01.10.2021
Subjects:
Computer Simulation
Gene Library
Software
Microscope
Adaptive optics
Open source
Super resolution
Python
ISSN:1477-9137, 1477-9137
Online Access:Get more information
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Summary:Custom-built microscopes often require control of multiple hardware devices and precise hardware coordination. It is also desirable to have a solution that is scalable to complex systems and that is translatable between components from different manufacturers. Here we report Python-Microscope, a free and open-source Python library for high-performance control of arbitrarily complex and scalable custom microscope systems. Python-Microscope offers simple to use Python-based tools, abstracting differences between physical devices by providing a defined interface for different device types. Concrete implementations are provided for a range of specific hardware, and a framework exists for further expansion. Python-Microscope supports the distribution of devices over multiple computers while maintaining synchronisation via highly precise hardware triggers. We discuss the architectural features of Python-Microscope that overcome the performance problems often raised against Python and demonstrate the different use cases that drove its design: integration with user-facing projects, namely the Microscope-Cockpit project; control of complex microscopes at high speed while using the Python programming language; and use as a microscope simulation tool for software development.
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ISSN:1477-9137
1477-9137
DOI:10.1242/jcs.258955