XISMuS — X-ray fluorescence imaging software for multiple samples

X-rays have long been used as a non-destructive analytical technique to investigate artefacts and objects that can be considered cultural heritage. With the unceasing development of technologies and miniaturization of electronics, X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis has undergone a natural evolution, being now extensively used in a bi-dimensional manner, scanning whole surfaces and generating astonishing amounts of data. Evaluating all this data demands a software distribution or at least a stand-alone algorithm. The former being an obvious choice, as software are easy to install and the learning curve is fast. Moreover, developing a proprietary algorithm is time consuming and not always needed for the average user. In this scope, XIMuS was developed as an ad hoc software for macro-XRF analysis (MA-XRF), with an intuitive and simple graphical user interface (GUI). The software provides several built-in tools, staple for the interpretation of X-ray fluorescence data, automated data evaluation and some novelty functionalities as data stitching. XISMuS creates an iterative user database as samples are loaded and compiled through usage, facilitating navigation through different datasets. Simultaneous samples can be loaded in separate instances for comparison purposes. Elemental mapping is made simple, the methods available are described and have each one an application for fast, balanced or precise calculations, supporting parallel computing. Ratios between elements in specific regions of the image can be measured while a region-derived spectrum is shown and updated live. Image correlation can be performed supporting the usage of threshold filters and/or region selection. Batch exporting is also available, cross-normalizing the input datasets.