musrfit: A free platform-independent framework for muSR data analysis

TL;DR

musrfit is a versatile, open-source, cross-platform software framework for muon spin rotation data analysis, offering extensive customization, visualization, and data compatibility features based on CERN ROOT and Minuit routines.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive, free, and platform-independent framework for muSR data analysis with customizable plugins and user-friendly input management.

Findings

Supports multiple raw-data formats including PSI-BIN, MDU, ROOT, WKM, MUD, and NeXus.

Provides an efficient text editor for input file creation and management.

Enables extension through user-defined functions via a plugin mechanism.

Abstract

A free data-analysis framework for muSR has been developed. musrfit is fully written in C++, is running under GNU/Linux, Mac OS X, as well as Microsoft Windows, and is distributed under the terms of the GNU GPL. It is based on the CERN ROOT framework and is utilizing the Minuit optimization routines for fitting. It consists of a set of programs allowing the user to analyze and visualize the data. The fitting process is controlled by an ascii-input file with an extended syntax. A dedicated text editor is helping the user to create and handle these files in an efficient way, execute the fitting, show the data, get online help, and so on. A versatile tool for the generation of new input files and the extraction of fit parameters is provided as well. musrfit facilitates a plugin mechanism allowing to invoke user-defined functions. Hence, the functionality of the framework can be extended with a minimal amount of overhead for the user. Currently, musrfit can read the following facility raw-data files: PSI-BIN, MDU (PSI), ROOT (LEM/PSI), WKM (outdated ascii format), MUD (TRIUMF), NeXus (ISIS).