OpenHKL

About OpenHKL

What is OpenHKL?

OpenHKL is a GUI programme for data reduction of single crystal diffraction experiment data. It takes a series of detector images collected over a range of sample rotation angle increments and constructs a real space 3D model of the detector spots. This is used to determine an exhaustive list of reflections for sample unit cell, along with their Miller indices, integrated intensities and variances.

Detailed documentation including and installation guide and a tutorial can be found here.

Why use OpenHKL?

There are many existing programmes that perform similar data reductions; many have been used extensively in the past and produce excellent results. However, OpenHKL is distinguished by a unique combination of important features.

Natively handles neutron diffraction

The OpenHKL project was started with the aim of developing a data reduction programme specifically for neutron diffraction, which is technically more problematic than X-ray diffraction in terms of data reduction. However, it can be used equally well for X-ray diffraction data.

Open source and fully documented

OpenHKL is fully open source, and none of its functionality is a "black box". All algorithms are fully documented, such that users will no longer be left guessing as to what exactly OpenHKL does during the data reduction process. Modification and collaboration are encouraged, with the aim of improving OpenHKL as a community.

Easily extensible for different detector geometries

It is easy to extend OpenHKL to include different detector geometries; each instrument is described a .yaml machine file which contains the metadata and physical setup.

Written in C++, with a Modern QT GUI

OpenHKL is written in C++ for excellent speed, using object-oriented principles to facilitate extensibility. It has a modern GUI, making it user friendly for the end user.

Core functionality available via Python API

All core functionality can be accessed via a Python scripting API, with the aim of facilitating i) automation of the data reduction process, and ii) systematic testing and optimisation of data reduction parameters.

History of OpenHKL

OpenHKL was started by Laurent Chapon and Eric Pellegrini at Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble under the name NSXTool (Neutron Single Xtal). It later became a collaboration between ILL and Forschungszentrum Jlich at the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ) in Garching. It was renamed to OpenHKL in 2022 to emphasise that it is intended also for X-ray diffraction as well as Neutron diffraction.