MacroQueue: Automating Measurements in High-Dimensional Parameter Spaces

TL;DR

MacroQueue is a modular software tool that automates and synchronizes measurements across high-dimensional parameter spaces in laboratory settings, simplifying control of multiple instruments without coding.

Contribution

It introduces a flexible, extendable software platform for automating complex multi-instrument measurements in high-dimensional parameter spaces.

Findings

Supports control of major commercial scanning tunneling microscopes

Enables synchronization of multiple instruments without coding

Extensible to any instrument controllable via Python

Abstract

Laboratory measurements often use several instruments to fully explore the relevant parameter space; such as, an external lock-in amplifier, an electromagnet, an RF generator, etc.. Ordinarily, these instruments have to be individually controlled and their parameters have to be manually recorded. MacroQueue enables effortless measurements throughout these high-dimensional parameter space systems. MacroQueue is a modular software designed for controlling and automating various laboratory equipment in sync without requiring coding ability. Currently, it includes functions to control the 3 major commercial scanning tunneling microscopes, CreaTec, RHK, and Scienta Omicron in combination with any other instruments that are a part of the systems. It can be extended to control any instrument that can be controlled via Python.